Archive | June 2013

Declaring the end from the beginning – Isaiah 46:9-10 – does not mean God predestines sin

Jun12

CreationIsaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure (KJV)

Isaiah 46:10 DECLARING FROM THE BEGINNING THE LATTER END, And from of old that which hath not been done, Saying, `My counsel doth stand, And all My delight I do.’ (Young’s Literal)

So, from the very beginning of time God has declared something that will take place in the latter end, and we can continue on to v. 11 and v. 12-13 to see exactly what this is. It’s about the coming of a “ravenous bird“, but most importantly about the fact that salvation will come from Zion.  God is able to tell us through his prophets what will happen in the future whether God himself wants these things to happen or not. In this case it looks like what he is telling us through Isaiah is something that God himself has decreed will happen. See further down below. Also, if God delights in a world where man has free will and able to obey/disobey and where he is responsible for his own actions, can God make such a world? Yes! God can do anything he wants.

Some of our reformed friends translate “declaring the end from the beginning” to “I decide and predestine every step that a man makes and he has no choice but to act exactly as I have caused him to act “, and they translate “my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure“ to “my counsel is to unconditionally cause a certain elect group of people to believe in me, and my pleasure is to orchestrate everything that happens, including causing people to sin – and I will also punish them for this sin by sending them to hell for it “. 

But if that interpretation is true, then of course God has always wanted people to be born depraved and with a sinful nature that causes them all to sin, and that would absolutely make God the author of sin and the one we must blame for all wickedness in the world. We would have no other choice but to trace each case of murder, violence, abortion and rape back to GOD and we must even conclude that he caused Satan to rebel against him. Some reformed believers object to the notion that God is the author of sin, which their doctrine necessitates, but there are numerous calvinists who admit that they believe in a God who makes people sin for his glory.

What does the rest of the chapter Isaiah 46 say?

1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.

It’s really interesting that God would want his people to make use of IDOLS, despite that the first commandment that God gave Moses is:

“You shall have no other gods before me”

Could God really be angry at his people for making idols, if he is the one who predestines them to make them? Will people risk their souls for making these idols and for worshiping them, despite that it’s according to God’s will? Will people end up in hell despite obeying God to 100%?

3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

It’s strange that God would say “hearken unto me...” just like people could choose to NOT hearken unto him. It’s also interesting that God suggests that the house of Jacob and the remnant of the house of Israel were “borne by me from the belly” because this sounds like they were not born depraved, and yet not all individuals from this group will always be good and obedient people.

6 They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

Again, it’s very interesting that God would cause his people to make an idol to bow down for and to worship, despite that God also tells them multiple times that they should have no other God before him. What would be his reason for predestining them to do something horrible like that? Does he want us to obey his commandments or not? We can also read that they were transgressors, and that would be people who transgress the divine commandments in violation to the one who gave those commandments. But how could this be, if God is the one who directs every single one of their steps and that nothing that comes to pass happens against his will? If God is the one who causes people to make idols, can we really say that they “transgress” his command to not make idols? If God is the one who wants them to make idols and cause them to make idols, then it’s hard to see how this could be a “transgression” of any kind. So it seems like God causes his people to act in a way that goes against his own principles, as though God is battling with some schizophrenic problems. The best way to solve it is of course to flee from calvinism, because that would at once take care of all Bible contradiction that this gnostic theology has caused AND God’s holy nature and reputation would be intact.

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Here comes our famous quote. Couldn’t “declaring the end from the beginning” mean that God has foreknowledge of certain events and has taken measures to both punish people who transgress his laws, as well as helping those people out who seek him and turn to him for his aid? The context is about the deliverance of his people from Babylon by the hand of Cyrus, which he purposed and prophesied about. The terms “my counsel” and “my pleasure” don’t necessarily mean that God alone micro manages every single step that people make –  against their will and without conditions. Each person is responsible for his own actions, and we can often see God acting based on the premise “if you do this, I will do that“. If God is the one who directs our steps unconditionally, then the blame for all evil darkness must be placed on God alone – and God should ask us for forgiveness for causing so much wickedness and evil.

11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Aha, this is the verse right after v. 10, and here we can see exactly what his “pleasure” might be and what it is that he has declared according to his counsel. He has apparently called “a ravenous bird from the east – a man of his counsel”. It’s not certain who this is, but it might be a reference to Cyrus who God indirectly might have involved in his plans for Israel. All God has to do is to remove his protective hands from a certain leader among his people, resulting in that the enemy would get sufficient help needed to be victorious. God doesn’t always interfere in such manner, but it looks like this is a rare case where he did. It’s inconceivable to believe that a holy God places evil desires in someone’s heart, because there is no darkness in God and he doesn’t tempt anyone – much less cause people to sin. Even if Israel will initially be shaken, there is also a plan for SALVATION – which is purposed by God. So the ultimate purpose by God, and what he will execute according to the counsel of his will, is to bring salvation from Zion. Read on.

12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

Isn’t it interesting that God would consider making people stouthearted and unrighteous? Yet, this is what he must have done if we must interpret v. 9-10 as though God predestines everything. And why continuously asking people to hearken unto him, if he knows that they can do nothing BUT hearken to him? People are not able to listen to God if God has prevented them from doing so. Things always pan out the way God wants in the calvinistic world.

13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

“Salvation in Zion” sounds like a promise about the upcoming Messiah who will come forth in the future in Zion, and he will be of the blood of Jacob and King David. This is something that happens according to the council of his will, and nowhere in the chapter does it say that God causes people to think and to act in a certain way. “I bring near my righteousness”, God says, and that doesn’t sound like there is much room for wickedness and unrighteousness – which is something abominable in God’s eyes.

“I will have mercy on who I will have mercy”, but not unconditionally – Rom. 9:15

Jun10

moses

Rom. 9:15 FOR HE SAITH TO MOSES, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion

This is a very famous and popular verse, and there are some (reformed) christians who translate this verse into “God says to us all; I will elect certain individuals for salvation, and I will place no conditions whatsoever on those that I choose…”. Just because God shows mercy to individuals, groups of people and entire nations, it doesn’t mean that they will be saved, and neither does it say anywhere in Romans. 9:15 that God shows mercy unconditionally. Paul is here making a reference to Exodus 33:19 where God is speaking to Moses, so in order to get Paul’s point we should both read both the context in Romans 9 (which is about God’s right to make the offer of salvation also to the gentiles and under the conditions that he himself chooses) as well as checking the passage that Paul is referring to in order to understand his full point.

Ex 33:2 (God) And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:3 Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.4 And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.5 For the Lord had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.—(Mose starts out)16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

As we can see, Moses is having a huge problem with the people that he was a leader for, and that’s because they were stiff-necked and rebellious against the God who Moses was a true servant of. Man’s free will is fully displayed in this passage (and throughout the entire Bible) because naturally God doesn’t want people to be disobedient to him and to walk on their own evil ways. The only reason God is threatening to consume them, is due to their sinfulness and stubborn hearts. Moses is pleading with God to show mercy on his people and he is successful because God has indeed seen Moses’ heart and therefore decided to show him grace and listen to his requests.

As we can see, the phrase that he “will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy” is not in reference to God unconditionally electing people to salvation, and neither can this phrase be understood that way in Romans 9. Moreover, just because God decides to show mercy on a person, it doesn’t mean this person will necessarily be saved because mercy (or kindness or grace) might not even be in relation to the person’s soul. And even if it is in relation to the person’s soul, it doesn’t say “Once God has shown mercy on a person, this person forever remains in his mercy and is forever saved”. Just like we people can choose to be kind or not to others depending on their actions, so can God.

That people are being stiff-necked in the Bible can be seen here with many examples.

Compare with the words of David, who claims that God will be merciful to those who are merciful – which is how God has chosen to treat people:

2 Sam. 22:25 Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.27 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.

We are told to be merciful as our Father is merciful

If the idea is that God has a certain lucky and elect elite that he has decided to show mercy on while he turns his back on all others, can we act in the same way by showing mercy (being kind) to only SOME? Not according to the Bible that says we are to be good to all. If we show mercy to others, we can be expected to get mercy ourselves, and God expects us to show mercy to others.

Luke:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Ja. 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Broader context from Romans 9. Read more about Romans 9 in this article.

Rom. 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory

Mercy is often in relation to individuals who are being righteous

It makes sense that kind-hearted and obedient people are prone to receive mercy themselves.

Genesis. 19:18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.

Genesis 39:21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

1 Kings 3:6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

Isaiah 14:1 For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

Conditions that are required for getting mercy, and when God does NOT show mercyKärlek

It looks like God is keen to show mercy on people who LOVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. We can see this requirement throughout the below verses.

Ex. 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Deut. 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

Deut. 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers 

1 Kings 8:23 And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart

2 Chronicles 6:14 And said, O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts

Nehemiah 1:5 And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

Isaiah 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Isaiah 27:11 When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

Isaiah 47:6 I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Daniel 9:4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

Hosea 2:4 And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.

Jonah 2:8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

Luke 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Gal. 6 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Psalms and Proverbs about mercy

In Psalms and Proverbs we can see the conditions for getting mercy, and they are the same as above.

Psalm 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.

Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

Psalm 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

Psalm 62:12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work

Psalm 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Psalm 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

Psalm 103:17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

Psalm 118:4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 130:7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

Psalm 147:11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Proverbs 14:22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

Proverbs 14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

Proverbs 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

We are not saved because we have always done the right thing, but because we are able to be cleansed in the blood of Jesus upon our repentance and faith in his holy name.

Titus. 3:3 For we ourselves also WERE sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

Are you stiff-necked and resist the Holy Ghost against the will of God? – Acts 7:51

Jun9

stiff-necked

Acts 7:51 Ye STIFFNECKED and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always RESIST THE HOLY GHOST: as your fathers did, so do ye.

sklérotrachélos (Greek): stiff-necked, stubborn, obstinate (Strong’s 4644)

oreph (Hebrew): back of the neck, neck (Strong’s 6203)

It’s apparent that we can resist the Holy Ghost by being stiff-necked and walking our own way, and if we take this route it’s obviously against God’s will. Still, there are some of our reformed friends who feel the need to stick to the notion that “nothing that comes to pass happens against the will of God” so they are reluctant to accept the clear meaning of Acts 7:51 and prefer to believe that God has either predestined people to be stiff-necked and/or suggest they are born stiff-necked and will continue to be so until God perhaps decides to open their eyes to bring them out of this spell. If the idea is that nothing happens against God’s will, then people who are born stiff-necked are born that way according to God’s will, but then we are no longer talking about the God of the Bible. 

Stephen (who is talking in Acts 7) is making a reference to the fathers of the pharisees and claimed they too were stiff-necked and resisted the Holy Ghost, and we can see in the verses below how painfully true this statement has proven to be. The Bible is a book that describes how people throughout all of our history have turned their backs on God. Not every single individual of course, because there are also examples of some very righteous and just people who have lived in obedience to God, like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Lot and Job.

Most cases in the Bible where “stiff-necked” people are mentioned can be seen below.

Examples of stiff-necked people during the Exodus

People even made a golden calf to worship and this provoked God to anger, naturally because it was against his will. Israel didn’t get the promised land because they were particularly good people, but rather because the inhabitants were very evil, and because of the promise that God had given to Abraham before them.

Ex. 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.9 And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation

Ex. 33:1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:—3 Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.—5 For the Lord had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.

Ex. 34:8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

Deuteronomy 9:5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.6 Understand therefore, that the Lord thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.7 Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the Lord thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the Lord.8 Also in Horeb ye provoked the Lord to wrath, so that the Lord was angry with you to have destroyed you.

2 Kings 17:12 For they served idols, whereof the Lord had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.13 Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God.15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them.16 And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

Neh. 15 And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.18 Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations

Jer. 7:22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:26 Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.27 Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.28 But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Being stiff-necked is something negative, and God tells his people to cease being stiff-neckedstiff-necked2

Clearly God wouldn’t want his people (or anyone) to rebel against him, refuse to hearken to him, turn their backs on him, transgress his laws, do evil, become corrupted, provoke him to anger, worship idols, harden their hearts, neglect to receive corrections, etc, but this is exactly what his people often did due to their stubborn and evil hearts. God’s will does not always happen and that is because he has given us free will – resulting in that we are responsible for our own actions and will be judged accordingly.

Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Deut. 31:27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death?28 Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

Isaiah. 48:3 I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.4 Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;5 I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

2 Chronicles 29:5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord, and turned their backs.—.8 Wherefore the wrath of the Lord was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.

2 Chronicles 30:8 Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

2 Chronicles 36:11 Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.12 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord.13 And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel.14 Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.

Neh. 9:28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the land of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.30 Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.31 Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.

Jer. 2:26 As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets.27 Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.28 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.29 Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the Lord.30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

Jer. 17:22 Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.24 And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein

Jer. 19:15 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.

Jer. 32:31 For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,32 Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.33 And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.34 But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Proverbs. 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Read, Isaiah 5:1-7, Isaiah 63:10, Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34, Romans 13:2 and Ephesians 4:30, for further examples of people who are stiff-necked and act against the will of God. 

Var Abraham rättfärdig av tro, eller av GÄRNINGAR som Jakobsbrevet säger? Jak. 2:21

Jun7

abrahamAbraham – rättfärdig av TRO eller GÄRNINGAR, eller TRO OCH GÄRNINGAR?

Paulus i Romarbrevet verkar säga att Abraham var rättfärdig genom TRO och inte av gärningar, medan Jakob i Jakobsbrevet verkar säga precis tvärt om – att han blev rättfärdig genom gärningar och INTE bara genom tro. Hur hänger det ihop? Är inte Paulus och Jakob överens? Det är inte helt ovanligt att det blir Jakob som får stryka på foten när man ska försöka anpassa två ståndpunkter som till synes verka vara motstridiga, och man försöker då läsa Jakobsbrevet genom ljuset av det man tror Paulus säger. Det kan då bli så att man tillskriver Jakob åsikter som han inte har och menar att han “också” tror att vi blir frälsta av “tro allena” trots att han mycket tydligt säger precis tvärt om. Vi kan notera att vare sig Paulus eller Jakob någonsin säger att vi blir frälsta av tro “allena“, om vi med det menar en tro som  inte visar sig i gärningar. Tro utan gärningar är död och det går inte att komma runt det.

Det fanns regler att följa innan Lagen kom

Det Paulus försöker åstadkomma genom Romarbrevet – och även Galaterbrevet och Hebreerbrevet – är att få judarna att förstå att de INTE är frälsta och Abrahams barn bara för att de är födda som judar och släkt med Abraham, och inte heller för att lagen gavs till dem, utan det är snarare så att Abrahams barn (de som är frälsta) är de som TROR och älskar Jesus – vilket är öppet för ALLA människor och inte bara judarna. Här kan vi se hur bekymret som Paulus försöker hantera i Rom. 4  egentligen börjar:

Apg.15:15 Några som hade kommit ner från Judeen började lära bröderna att de inte kunde bli frälsta, om de inte lät omskära sig enligt seden från Mose. 2 När det nu uppstod oenighet och Paulus och Barnabas kom i allvarlig tvist med dem, beslöt man att dessa två och några andra av dem skulle fara upp till apostlarna och de äldste i Jerusalem för att överlägga med dem om denna stridsfråga.

Detta problem är utgångspunkten för Paulus kamp mot dessa judar som vill kompromissa och kämpa sig kvar i det gamla testamentet och de judiska ceremoniella lagarna. “Lagen” som vi så ofta läser om i Bibeln kom med Mose, och den innehåller 613 olika lagar/bud som det var tänkt att judarna skulle efterleva – och de flesta lagar endast under en viss tid. Bland dessa bud finns de tio budorden och de var de första buden att skrivas ner av Gud på stentavlor. Nu är det så att dessa tio bud faktiskt inte hade sin början med Mose trots att det var under hans möte med Gud som de först skrevs ner, för sanningen är ju att de har gällt ända sedan Adams tid och fortsätter att gälla ända till Domedagen! Jag säger detta eftersom väldigt många kristna tror att  vi på något sätt är befriade från att lyda NÅGOT av Guds bud, även om de också tror att det är “eftersträvansvärt” att lyda tio Guds bud även om de är övertygade om att vår frälsning inte hänger på graden av lydnad. Men är det verkligen så? Visst var det väl förbjudet att mörda, stjäla, ljuga och begå äktenskapsbrott även under Adams tid? Annars hade det ju inte varit någon synd för Kain att mörda sin bror, och det skulle inte funnits något skäl  för Gud att säga:

1 Mosebok 4:7 Är det inte så att om du gör det som är gott, ser du frimodigt upp, men om du inte gör det som är gott, då lurar synden vid dörren. Den har begär till dig, men du skall råda över den.”

Det fanns alltså SYND som människorna potentiellt skulle kunna begå långt INNAN Mose tid trots att Lagen ännu inte fanns, och det handlar om mycket logiska bud som kort och gott handlar om KÄRLEK. Dessa tio kärleksbud (eller “moraliska bud” om man så vill) är precis lika viktiga att lyda 1) tiden mellan Adam och Mose, 2) tiden under Mose levnad, och 3) tiden mellan Mose och  idag och så länge jorden snurrar. Jesus summerar dessa bud i “det dubbla kärleksbudet“, och om vi i sanning älskar Gud och våra medmänniskor med hela vårt hjärta så lyder vi per automatik alla de tio budorden! Älskar vi våra medmänniskor så vill vi ju inte skada dem, såra dem eller behandla dem illa på minsta vis, och man kan också säga att vi lyder ANDEN om vi lyder kärlekens lag som ska finns i våra hjärtan.

Galaterbrevet 5:18 Men om ni leds av Anden, står ni inte under lagen.

1 Korinthierbrevet 7:19 Det har ingen betydelse om någon är omskuren eller oomskuren. Vad som betyder något är att man håller Guds bud.

Om vår synd var ett så stort problem att Jesus dog för oss för att rädda våra själar, inte innebär väl hans död att det plötsligt är fritt fram att synda utan att riskera några konsekvenser vad gäller vår själar? Inte dog väl Jesus för att möjliggöra att vi kan synda under lite mer avslappnande former? Här är lite mer verser om Abrahams liv långt innan Mose levde, och innan Lagen som kom med Mose.

1 Mos. 18:17 Då sade Herren: “Kan jag dölja för Abraham vad jag tänker göra? — 19 Ty jag har utvalt honom för att han skall befalla sina barn och efterkommande att hålla sig till Herrens väg och HANDLA rättfärdigt och rätt, så att Herren kan uppfylla sina löften till Abraham.”20 Sedan sade Herren: “Ropet över Sodom och Gomorra är starkt och deras synd är mycket svår.21 Därför vill jag gå ner och se om de i allt har gjort efter det rop som har nått mig. Om det inte är så, vill jag veta det.“22 Männen vände sig därifrån och gick mot Sodom, men Abraham stod kvar inför Herren. 23 Och Abraham gick närmare och sade: “Vill du förgöra den rättfärdige tillsammans med den ogudaktige? 24 Kanske finns det femtio rättfärdiga i staden. Vill du då förgöra den och inte skona platsen för de femtio rättfärdigas skull som finns där?25 Det vare dig fjärran att göra något sådant, att låta den rättfärdige dö med den ogudaktige. Det skulle då gå med den rättfärdige som med den ogudaktige. Det vare dig fjärran! Skulle inte han som är hela jordens domare göra det som är rätt?”

Ovan avsnitt är mycket intressant eftersom den ger oss en rad spännande sanningar som man kanske inte alltid reflekterat över.  Vi kan lära oss att:

  1. Det fanns SYND under denna tid, trots att Lagen ännu inte kommit
  2. Synd sker emot Guds vilja (kanske en självklarhet men jag säger detta med tanke på kalvinisterna)
  3. Det fanns RÄTTFÄRDIGA under denna tid även om det var sparsamt med rättfärdiga just i Sodom. Abraham och Lot är ju ett par exempel på rättfärdiga personer, och Enoch, Noa, Job är andra exempel på berömda rättfärdiga personer.
  4. “Rättfärdig” är den som handlar RÄTT – alltså i sitt eget agerande.
  5. Gud valde ut Abraham för att han skulle lära framtida generationer att hålla sig på Herrens väg och att få människor att HANDLA RÄTTFÄRDIGT.
  6. Guds löfte till Abraham gällande framtida rika välsignelser i hans säd är var avhängigt om Abraham skulle välja att lyda Gud eller inte.
  7. Det låter faktiskt i v. 21 som Gud måste komma ner till jorden för att ta reda på hur exakt saker och ting förelåg vad gäller den synd som Sodom gjort sig skyldig till.

Här nedan kommer ytterligare ett avsnitt gällande en händelse som inträffade innan Lagen kom:

1 Mos. 20:3 Men Gud kom till Abimelek i en dröm om natten och sade till honom: “Du måste dö för den kvinnas skull som du har tagit till dig, ty hon är en annan mans hustru.” 4 Men Abimelek hade inte rört henne och han svarade: “Herre, vill du döda också rättfärdiga människor?5 Har han inte själv sagt till mig: Hon är min syster? Och hon sade själv: Han är min bror. Med uppriktigt hjärta och rena händer har jag gjort detta.” 6 Då sade Gud till honom i drömmen: “Ja, jag vet att du har gjort detta med uppriktigt hjärta, och det var också jag som hindrade dig från att synda mot mig. Därför lät jag dig inte röra henne. 7 Men ge nu mannen hans hustru tillbaka, ty han är en profet. Han skall be för dig så att du får leva. Men om du inte ger henne tillbaka, skall du veta att du själv och alla som tillhör dig måste döden dö.”8 Tidigt nästa morgon steg Abimelek upp och kallade till sig alla sina tjänare och berättade allt detta för dem. Männen blev mycket förskräckta. 9 Abimelek kallade på Abraham och sade till honom: “Vad har du gjort mot oss? Och vad har jag gjort för synd mot dig, eftersom du har dragit denna stora synd över mig och mitt rike? Du har gjort sådant mot mig som ingen bör göra.”

Här kan vi lära oss följande:

  1. Även människor som inte var släkt med Abraham kände till konceptet av SYND – trots att detta var innan Lagen kom.
  2. Abimelek hade inga problem med att “tro på Gud” eftersom han ju kommunicerade med honom, och även hans tjänare blev förskräckta när de insåg vad Gud skulle kunna göra med dem.
  3. Abimelek förväntade sig att Gud är av en natur som agerar rättvist och inte straffar rättfärdiga människor genom att förkorta deras liv utan orsak.
  4. Abimelek ansåg att han själv agerade rättvist i frågan vad gäller Abrahams hustru, och Gud håller med honom om att han (Abimelek) agerat med ett uppriktigt hjärta. Gud var inte den som orsakade detta uppriktiga hjärta i Abimelek, men han hjälpte däremot till i situationen och hindrade Abimelek i detta fallet från att synda med Abrahams hustru.
  5. Huruvida Abimelek och hans tjänare skulle få fortsätta att leva eller inte var avhängigt Abimeleks agerande, beroende på om han skulle ge Sara tillbaka till Abraham eller inte.
  6. Abimelek ansåg att Abraham syndade. I själva verket stämde det ju att Sara faktiskt var Abrahams syster, men hon var även hans hustru vilket han valt att inte avslöja.

Så kommer vi till situationen när Gud verkligen satte Abraham på prov.

1 Mos. 1:1 En tid därefter satte Gud Abraham på prov. Han sade till honom: “Abraham!” Han svarade: “Ja, här är jag.” 2 Då sade han: “Tag din son Isak, din ende son, som du älskar, och gå till Moria land och offra honom där som bränn-offer på ett berg som jag skall visa dig.”3 Tidigt nästa morgon sadlade Abraham sin åsna och tog med sig två av sina tjänare och sin son Isak. Sedan han huggit ved till brännoffer, gav han sig i väg mot den plats som Gud hade sagt åt honom att gå till. 5 Han sade då till sina tjänare: “Stanna här med åsnan. Jag och pojken går dit bort för att tillbe, och sedan kommer vi tillbaka till er.“—-11 Då ropade Herrens ängel till honom från himlen: “Abraham! Abraham!” Han svarade: “Här är jag.”12 Då sade han: “Lyft inte din hand mot pojken och gör honom ingenting. Nu vet jag att du fruktar Gud, då du inte ens har undanhållit mig din ende son.”—15 Herrens ängel ropade ännu en gång till Abraham från himlen: 16 “Jag svär vid mig själv, säger Herren: Eftersom du har gjort detta och inte undanhållit mig din ende son, 17 skall jag rikligen välsigna dig och göra dina efterkommande talrika som stjärnorna på himlen och som sanden på havets strand, och din avkomma skall inta sina fienders portar.—19 Sedan vände Abraham tillbaka till sina tjänare, och de bröt upp och gick tillsammans till Beer-Sheba. Och Abraham bodde i Beer-Sheba.

Nu var ju detta stora prov på fullständig lydnad inte Abrahams första rättfärdiga agerande i sitt liv, men att vara villig att offra sin egen son i lydnad inför Gud visar förstås på hur långt Abraham var villig att gå för sin skapares skull och denna händelse blev    förstås den rättfärdiga handlingen som allra mest blev ihågkommet gällande Abraham.

  1. Gud satte Abraham på prov för att se Abrahams agerande, och det visar på människans fria vilja och möjlighet att agera separat från Guds egen vilja. Det finns ingen anledning att testa något som man vet utgången på och t o m en utgång som man själv styrt.
  2. Abraham var ENSAM när han höjde kniven för att offra sin son. Hans agerande i rättfärdighet (lydnad) var alltså enkom INFÖR GUD och INTE inför människor.
  3. Vi kan återigen se att den enorma välsignelsen vad gäller hans talrika efterkommande var avhängigt hans agerande, huruvida han skulle lyda Gud i  allt eller inte.

Om Abraham bara skulle sitta under en buske och bara “tro” på Gud så hade detta inte resulterat i en sådan världsberömd beundran inför honom, och saken är den att han aldrig var frälst av “tro allena“.

Paulus i Romarbrevet  romans

Så tillbaka till Romarbrevet. Notera att det var stort fokus på det här med omskärelse eftersom det var detta som dessa judar (se vers från Apg ovan) menade var ett frälsningsvillkor trots att en sådan lära är i strid med sanningen. Paulus intygar att judar inte är förmer än andra människorr – och heller inte underlägsna andra människor eftersom både judar och greker gjort sig skyldiga till synd är är i behov av en frälsare.

Rom. 3:1Vilket företräde hava då judarna, eller vad gagn hava de av omskärelsen??—9 Huru är det alltså? Äro vi då något förmer än de andra? Ingalunda. Redan härförut har jag ju måst anklaga både judar och greker för att allasammans vara under synd. (1917)

Paulus ville få judarna att förstå att Abraham faktiskt förklarades rättfärdig INNAN någon omskärelse, så alltså kan det här med omskärelse inte vara något krav för frälsningen – och inte någon av de andra ceremoniella lagbuden heller. Paulus berömmer inte människor som har en tro utan gärningar, eftersom det är en KRAV, men han vill få judarna att förstå att det INTE är gärningar som frälser i sig och framför allt inte lydnad av de ceremoniella lagarna som inte gäller längre överhuvudtaget. Abraham var frälst och rättfärdig UTAN att ha lytt TORAH (613 bud inalles).

Vidare är vi antingen frälsta av 1) av gärningar såsom att ha lytt lagen till 100%, av egna meriter, för att vi förtjänar det, osv, ELLER 2) genom NÅD vilket innebär Guds barmhärtighet. De flesta är överens om att det är alternativ 2 som gäller eftersom vi inte klarar villkoren i alternativ 1. Men det betyder inte att lydnad/gärningar inte längre är nödvändiga för det är de. Man kan jämföra det med en brottsling som gjort sig skyldig till överträdelse av lagen och fått livstid i fängelse, och som senare blir benådad av en behörig person med makt. Brottslingen har ingen rätt att säga “En gång benådad, alltid benådad!. Nu vet jag att jag aldrig någonsin riskerar att hamna i fängelse igen även om jag skulle utföra ytterligare lagöverträdelser för jag har ju blivit benådad! Jag är nu IMMUN mot risken att bli fängslad igen!”. Men visst är det så att brottslingen inte kan slippa ifrån sitt rättmätiga straff genom något som han GÖR även om han skulle leva resten av sitt liv i fullständig lydnad av lagen, för det ändrar ju inte på att han tidigare gjort sig skyldig till lagöverträdelser som på något sätt måste sonas (eller förlåtas).

Inte heller Abraham levde ett helt prickfritt liv (fast det är möjligt att det var näst intill fullkomligt), så även han behövde Guds förbarmanade i sitt liv eftersom inte heller han “förtjänade” någon frälsning. Det gäller att tolka Romarbrevet 4 rätt så att man exempelvis inte tolkar v. 6 som att målsättningen är att inte ha några gärningar överhuvudtaget eftersom det verkar vara något eftersträvansvärt att räknas som rättfärdig utan några gärningar som helst. Men detta är givetvis inte vad Paulus säger, och han argumenterar självfallet inte emot Jesus som säger att vi kan huggas av vinträdet pga brist på frukt (gärningar). Vidare är Paulus poäng att frälsningen är öppen för ALLA – omskurna eller oomskurna. Paulus säger här nedan att vi måste VANDRA i Abrahams spår, och detta är något som vi gör.

Rom. 4:1 Vad kan vi nu säga att vår stamfader Abraham har vunnit genom gärningar? 2 Om Abraham förklarades rättfärdig på grund av gärningar, då har han något att berömma sig av – men inte inför Gud. 3 Ty vad säger Skriften? Abraham trodde Gud, och det räknades honom till rättfärdighet.4 Den som har gärningar att peka på får sin lön, inte av nåd utan som något han har förtjänat. 5 Men den som utan att bygga på gärningar tror på honom som förklarar den ogudaktige rättfärdig, honom räknas hans tro till rättfärdighet. 6 Därför prisar också David den människa salig, som Gud tillräknar rättfärdighet utan gärningar: 7 Saliga är de, vilkas överträdelser är förlåtna och vilkas synder är överskylda.8 Salig är den man som Herren inte tillräknar synd.9 Gäller denna saligprisning endast de omskurna eller även de oomskurna? Vi säger ju att tron räknades Abraham till rättfärdighet. 10 När blev den tillräknad honom? Sedan han blivit omskuren? Nej, det skedde medan han ännu var oomskuren. 11 Han tog emot omskärelsens tecken som bekräftelse på rättfärdigheten genom tron, och den ägde han redan som oomskuren. Så skulle han vara fader till alla oomskurna som tror, och så skulle rättfärdighet tillräknas dem. 12 Han skulle även vara fader till omskurna, till sådana som inte endast hör till de omskurna utan också VANDRAR i spåren av den tro som vår fader Abraham hade som oomskuren.13 Det var inte genom lagen som Abraham och hans efterkommande fick löftet att ärva världen, utan genom den rättfärdighet som kommer av tro. 14 Om de som håller sig till lagen blir arvingar, då är tron utan innehåll och löftet satt ur kraft. 15 Lagen åstadkommer ju vrede. Men där ingen lag finns, där finns inte heller någon överträdelse. 16 Därför heter det “av tro”, för att det skulle vara av nåd och löftet stå fast för alla hans avkomlingar, inte bara för dem som hör till lagens folk utan också för dem som har Abrahams tro, han som är allas vår fader. —19 Han sviktade inte i tron då han tänkte på att hans egen kropp saknade livskraft – han var då omkring hundra år – och att Saras moderliv var dött. 20 Han tvivlade inte i otro på Guds löfte utan blev i stället starkare i tron och gav Gud äran. 21 Han var övertygad om att vad Gud hade lovat, det var han också mäktig att hålla.22 Därför “räknades det honom till rättfärdighet.“23 Men dessa ord “det räknades honom till rättfärdighet” skrevs inte bara för hans skull 24 utan även med tanke på oss. Rättfärdighet kommer att tillräknas oss som tror på honom som från de döda uppväckte Jesus, vår Herre, 25 han som utlämnades för våra synders skull och uppväcktes för vår rättfärdiggörelses skull.

Tror vi på Gud och älskar honom så lyder vi honom, och det visade Abraham med sitt liv. Summerat så blev inte Abraham frälst pga att vara jude eller för att ha lytt en lång rad med ceremoniella bud, utan han blev frälst av TRO som han visade i LYDNAD. Paulus ger exempel på att Abraham visade sin tro i LYDNAD, och det är därför han var rättfärdig:

Hebr. 11:8 I tron LYDDE Abraham, när han blev kallad att dra ut till det land som han skulle få i arv, och han begav sig i väg utan att veta vart han skulle komma.9 I tron LEVDE han som främling i det utlovade landet. Han bodde i tält tillsammans med Isak och Jakob, som var medarvingar till samma löfte.—17 I tron BAR Abraham fram Isak som offer, när han blev satt på prov. Ja, sin ende son bar han fram som offer, fastän han hade fått löftena.

Paulus försäkrar oss mycket tydligt att synd separerar oss från Gud, och han talar givetvis inte emot sig själv i Romarbrevet.

1 Korinthierbrevet 6:9 Vet ni inte att inga orättfärdiga skall få ärva Guds rike? Bedra inte er själva! Varken otuktiga eller avgudadyrkare, varken äktenskapsbrytare eller de som utövar homosexualitet eller de som låter sig utnyttjas för sådant

Gal. 5:19 Köttets gärningar är uppenbara: de är otukt, orenhet, lösaktighet, 20 avgudadyrkan, svartkonst, fiendskap, kiv, avund, vredesutbrott, gräl, splittringar, villoläror,21 illvilja, fylleri, utsvävningar och annat sådant. Jag säger er i förväg vad jag redan har sagt: de som lever så skall inte ärva Guds rike.

Jakob i Jakobsbrevet – utan gärningar är vi inte frälstajames

Sedan till Jakob som inte skriver sitt brev med fokus på judarna som Paulus gjorde, och alltså inte har samma mål med sitt brev som Paulus. Jakob är mycket tydlig med att Abraham var rättfärdig genom gärningar och INTE av tro allena. Han ger i  samma kapitel 2 exempel på diverse gärningar som vi förväntas göra för att vara frälsta, så det han skriver går inte att misstolka. Tro utan gärningar är död, så utan gärningar kan vi inte vara frälsta.

Jak. 2:21 Blev inte vår fader Abraham erkänd som RÄTTFÄRDIG GENOM GÄRNINGAR, när han bar fram sin son Isak på altaret? 22 Du ser att hans tro samverkade med hans gärningar och att det var genom gärningarna som tron blev fullbordad. 23 Så uppfylldes Skriften som säger: Abraham trodde Gud, och det räknades honom till rättfärdighet, och han kallades Guds vän. (SFB)

Jak. 2:21 Blev icke Abraham, vår fader, rättfärdig av gärningar, när han frambar sin son Isak på altaret?22 Du ser alltså att tron samverkade med hans gärningar, och av gärningarna blev tron fullkomnad,23 och så fullbordades det skriftens ord som säger: »Abraham trodde Gud, och det räknades honom till rättfärdighet»; och han blev kallad »Guds vän». (1917)

Och ännu ett exempel på att det är vad vi GÖR – självfallet ihop med tron – som gör oss rättfärdiga:

Jak. 2:25 Blev inte skökan Rahab på samma sätt erkänd som rättfärdig genom gärningar, när hon tog emot sändebuden och förde ut dem en annan väg? 26 Liksom kroppen utan ande är död, så är tron utan gärningar död.

Vem är Abrahams barn?

Även Johannes förklarar att man inte är Abrahams barn för att vi är födda som judar och/eller för att vi har lagen, utan Abrahams barn är de som förblir i Jesus och som inte lyder synd (eftersom vi då blir syndens slavar). Johannes säger att om vi verkligen är Abrahams barn så GÖR vi gärningar såsom Abraham gjorde. Abraham var ju rättfärdig för att han var en riktig Gudsman som levde i lydnad av Gud och därmed räknades som rättfärdig.

Joh. 8:31 Jesus sade till de judar som hade satt tro till honom: “Om ni förblir i mitt ord, är ni verkligen mina lärjungar, 32 och ni skall förstå sanningen, och sanningen skall göra er fria.” 33 De svarade honom: “Vi är Abrahams barn och har aldrig varit slavar under någon. Hur kan du säga att vi skall bli fria?”34 Jesus svarade: “Amen, amen säger jag er: Var och en som gör synd är syndens slav. 35 Slaven bor inte kvar i huset för alltid, men sonen stannar där för alltid. 36 Om nu Sonen gör er fria, blir ni verkligen fria. 37 Jag vet att ni är Abrahams barn, men ni vill döda mig därför att ni inte förstår mitt ord. 38 Jag talar vad jag har sett hos min Fader. Ni gör vad ni har hört av er fader.”39 De svarade honom: “Vår fader är Abraham.” Jesus sade: “OM NI VORE ABRAHAMS BARN, SKULLE NI GÖRA ABRAHAMS GÄRNINGAR. 40 Men nu vill ni döda mig, en man som har sagt er sanningen, som jag har hört av Gud. Så handlade inte Abraham. 

Läs mer om synd/lag/nåd bland mina övriga artiklar, t ex denna.

The TRINITY – Jesus in the Godhead, who shared the glory with the Father

Jun5

trinity

The Bible teaches that Jesus is God

These are just some of the evidence for that Jesus is God who once came in the form of flesh to live as man here on earth. Between Genesis and Revelations there are numerous verses which tell us about the deity of Jesus – for instance prophesies in the old testament which prophesy about the upcoming Messiah and savior Jesus Christ (and NOTHING existed before him) who shares the glory with God the Father, despite that the Bible also says that God alone created the earth and doesn’t share his glory with anyone. If we refuse to accept that our King Jesus is the one he says he is – equal with God the Father, one with God the Father and has always coexisted with God the Father – then we are left with a long list of Bible inconsistencies that are impossible to get around. God the Father is usually called just GOD (in English), and he calls his son GOD in Hebr. 1.

John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one

The context for John 10:30 “I and the Father are one” is totally different from the context of John 17:21-22. In the latter verses it’s about having the same goal/approach/attitude, whereas John 10 is about being one with God as in the same authority and spirit. This is especially obvious when we consider that the jews picked up stones to stone Jesus to death for blasphemy when he claimed to be one with God. Why would they do this unless they felt Jesus was truly guilty of this crime? There is no Jewish death penalty for stating that we are to share the same goal as God, but there is a death penalty for claiming to be of the same authority as God and to be equal with him.

God the Father ONLY does wondrous things, but Jesus does too…

Ps. 72:18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who ONLY doeth wondrous things.

John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

The First and The Last – both God the Father AND God Jesus Christ

The first words of the Book of Revelation begin “The revelation of Jesus Christ” and the last things that Jesus says are “I, JESUS have sent mine angel to testify unto you all these things”. We can clearly see that both God the Father and Jesus Christ used the names/terms “I am the first and the last” and “alpha and omega”. Either Jesus is not God and only wants to confuse us by constantly taking God’s name on himself, letting himself be worshiped, making himself equal with God, not correcting people who call him God, etc, OR he really IS God. Only the latter option eliminates Bible contradictions.

Isa 44:6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Isa. 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.13 Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

Rev. 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.—16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Rev. 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Acts. 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Both God the Father AND God the son are the Lord of LordsJesus4

Isaiah 42:8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Deut. 10:17 For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward

Ps. 136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Phil. 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Tim. 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords

Rev. 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Rev. 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.—15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.

Who raised Jesus from the dead?

GOD raised him from the dead

Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:40 Him GOD raised up the third day, and shewed him openly

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:24 Whom GOD hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.—32 This Jesus hath GOD raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Acts. 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Acts. 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom GOD raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Acts.5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Acts. 13:23 Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus—33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead

1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also BY JESUS, and shall present us with you.

The HOLY SPIRIT (who dwells in us) raised him from the dead

Romans 8:11 But if THE SPIRIT of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

JESUS raised himself up from the dead

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

The Holy Spirit is given by God:  Isaiah 48:16, 63:11, Acts 5:32, 15:8, 1 Cor. 2:12, 2 Cor. 1:22, 3:3, 5:5 Gal. 3:5, 4:6, 1 Thess. 4:8, 1 John 3:24

The Holy Spirit is given by Jesus:  Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, John 3:34, John 15:26, John 16:7, John 20:22

If the Holy Spirit is said to be given by GOD, and also by JESUS, could this mean that Jesus is GOD? Yes!

We are cursed if we trust in man instead of the Lord, yet we are told to put our trust in the son

Jer. 17:5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.—7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

If this verse is not about Jesus Christ – WHO is it about?Jesus birth

Isaiah 9: 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

God the Father created everything all by himself – and the son Jesus Christ too…

Prov 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?

Psalm 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet

Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.—14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

John 8:40, 58 I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!

Hebr. 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;—10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Hebr. 2:6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Col. 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

There is only ONE that you shall worship, and JESUS allowed himself to be worshiped

It would have been so easy to quench the idea that Jesus is God by showing Jesus correcting those who worshiped him, but not once did he do that. John was corrected by the angel who he bowed down to in Revelations, and Cornelius was immediately corrected by Peter when he was worshiped in Acts. To Jesus will every knee bow and every tongue confess:

Isaiah 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Zech. 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon ME WHOM THEY HAVE PIERCED, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

Phi 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Acts. 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

John 9:35-39 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe’; and he WORSHIPED HIM.  

Hebr. 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.—8 But unto the Son he saith, THY THRONE; O GOD, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

God doesn’t share his glory with anyone, but shares it with Jesusjesus 4

Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein—8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Isaiah 48:11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Phil. 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power

Hebr. 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands

30 pieces of silver

Zech 11:10 And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.11 And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord.12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.13 And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord—17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Matt 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 

Jesus is God!

John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

Do read this article about; if we can also be called gods