Criticising a stone-thrower often means throwing stones ourselves

May27

Thanks to Britt Williams for the below

cast the first stone2

Quoting Jesus’ words in John 8:7, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…”, in a futile attempt to correct others for exposing sin, error, and reproving men for disobeying the Bible, is a gross misapplication of Scripture for two glaring reasons:

1. It is brazen hypocrisy. If we define correcting men with the Word of God as “casting stones” then we dare not invoke John 8:7 to correct the “stone-thrower” else we be guilty of “throwing stones” ourselves. It is akin to erroneously interpreting and applying Matt 7:1’s, “judge not” without making a judgment, which of course, is impossible. If a man believes others cannot judge or correct with God’s Word, he must refrain himself, which is demonstrably impossible. We all judge and we all correct according to what we deem the Word of God teaches, the question is, “are our judgments in accordance with God’s Word or not?”

2. Correcting someone with the Word of God, even telling someone they are lost and in danger of hell-fire, is not remotely comparable to literally executing someone by stoning. Jesus’ was not teaching that confronting and reproving others for sin was wrong, in fact, HE CORRECTED THE WOMAN AND TOLD HER TO STOP SINNING. The religious hypocrites Jesus confronted in John 8 wanted to kill the adulteress, not save her. Confronting sin and correcting others with God’s Word, according to the Scriptures, is essential to love (Lev 19:17; Rev 3:19) and is an effort to save, not destroy. Hence, exposing sin and error is not hateful, but loving. Those who suggest otherwise are, at best, spiritually blind, carnal, and Biblically illiterate. Generally, such people have an agenda, namely, they sympathize with and defend sin and error because they are in sin and error

Demons BELIEVE and tremble – faith without deeds is dead

May26

love2

Faith alone is not enough for salvation

When Paul told the Philippian jailor in Acts. 16 that he must BELIEVE to be saved, he didn’t have an empty faith in mind but a faith that is the same as “loving God with all your heart and all your soul”. If we truly believe in Jesus and love him with all of our heart, then we would like to obey him and this is what saving faith means. We can read that Paul and Silas afterwards spoke with this jailor and those with him in his house, and at that point they likely explained the meaning of a prosperous life together with our savior Jesus Christ – who is son of God and God in flesh.

Acts. 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.—29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?31 And they said, BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.-—21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

What demons (devils/evil spirits) believe

James makes it clear that also demons (devils/evil spirits) believe (see verse further down below) so a faith without deeds is dead, which means that we can’t be saved without works. It’s true that angels and demons can’t be saved in the same way as human beings because they are messengers of God, but once upon a time Satan and 1/3 of his angels were expelled from heaven due to their behavior – and not due to lack of faith in the only true God. The point James is making is that demons don’t have good fruit to go with their faith, and he also gives examples of various DEEDS one is expected to do as a truly saved person. James is not impressed with a person who says he believes in God, unless the same person shows good fruit to go with his faith.

If you think you’re saved if you only

  • believe in Jesus Christ
  • believe he is the son of God
  • believe he is the Holy One of God
  • believe he is the Messiah (the Christ)
  • believe he is from Nazareth
  • believe he has power over heaven and earth, and tremble by this awareness
  • believe he is able to punish you for your actions
  • believe there is ONE God only
  • believe the first christians (like Paul, Silas, Luke, etc) were true servants of God and individuals who showed mankind the way of salvation (which they constantly claimed to be through Jesus Christ only)
  • fall down before Jesus
  • confess out loud that Jesus is the son of God and the promised Messiah
  • have good Bible knowledge

then you must keep in mind that also demons/devils also accomplish all those things on that list, as the below verses will show:

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Mat. 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Yeshua of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Mark 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. 

Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Yeshua, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

Luke 4:33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.

Luke 4:41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Messiah the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. 

Luke 8:27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

Acts. 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Matt. 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Read more about James 2, and faith/works, in this blog article

Gud gav oss INTE lagen för att visa att vi inte kan hålla den

May24

lagVarför gavs lagen?

Det finns ganska många kristna som säger att lagen gavs “för att vi ska inse att vi aldrig i livet kan följa den och att vi på så sätt ska förstå av vi inte kan bli rättfärdiga i oss själva men att vi behöver Guds rättfärdighet (senare Jesus) och för att inse att vi är frälsta av nåd”. Detta är dock bara halvsant eftersom sanningen är att vi KAN följa lagen, och det är just för att vi KAN följa lagen men valt att INTE göra det som vi är skyldiga lagöverträdare. Om det vore så att vi var oförmögna att lyda lagen, med Guds vetskap, så vore vi inte skyldiga lagöverträdare utan faktiskt oskyldiga OFFER som det är synd om. Om vi inte har kapacitet att lyda lagen så måste vi anklaga vår skapare för att antingen har gjort lagen för svår för oss, eller för att ha skapat oss med för liten kapacitet för att lyda. Bibeln däremot säger att vi inte har några ursäkter för vår synd, och det innebär att vi alltid har haft valet att vara lydiga i stället för olydiga.

Ingen demokratisk domstol skulle dra ett litet barn eller en gravt handikappad person inför rätta eftersom det vore höjden av orättvisa.  Är man inte medveten om lagen och/eller inte kan hjälpa om man överträder den (pga brist på val), ja då är man heller inte skyldig. Gud är mer rättvis än någon Domstol på jorden.

Lagen gavs för överträdelsernas skull, och lagarna (genom dess bud och straff) var tänkta att hålla folket i schack genom att bevaka och övervaka dem via lagen ända till avkomlingen (Jesus) skulle träda fram. När avkomlingen Jesus sedan träder fram och offrar sitt liv för oss så får vi den Helige Ande till hjälp att göra det som lagen kräver – nämligen att älska Gud av hela vårt hjärta samt att älska vår nästa som oss själva. Ingen människa förklaras rättfärdig genom laggärningar eftersom ingen människa (som per definition kan synda) till fullo valt att följa lagen.

Gal. 3:19 Varför gavs då lagen? DEN BLEV TILLAGD FÖR ÖVERTRÄDELSERNAS SKUL för att gälla tills avkomlingen skulle träda fram, han som löftet gällde. Den utfärdades genom änglar och lades i en medlares hand.— 23 Innan tron kom hölls vi i fängsligt förvar och var BEVAKADE AV LAGEN, tills tron skulle uppenbaras. 24 Så blev lagen vår övervakare fram till Kristus, för att vi skall förklaras rättfärdiga av tro. 25 Men sedan tron har kommit, står vi inte längre under någon övervakare.— 27 Alla ni som har blivit döpta till Kristus har blivit iklädda Kristus. 

1 Tim. 1:8 Men vi vet att lagen är god, om man brukar den rätt 9 och inser att den inte är till för rättfärdiga utan för laglösa och upproriska, gudlösa och syndare, oheliga och oandliga, för dem som misshandlar sin far och mor, för dråpare, 10 för dem som utövar otukt och homosexualitet, för slavhandlare, lögnare, menedare och för alla som står emot den sunda läran

Rom. 3:20 Ty ingen människa förklaras rättfärdig inför honom genom laggärningar. Genom lagen ges insikt om synd.

Den moraliska lagen (som ingår i tio Guds bud) har ALLTID funnits och kommer alltid att gälla

Lagen kan missbrukas och fariseerna lade till egna människolagar ovanpå Guds lagar vilket gjorde det svårare för människor. Vi kan se samma fenomen idag när vi kristna applicerar våra egna definitioner på synd och lär ut felaktigheter till andra. Det finns kristna som menar att om vi inte tänker på Gud varje minut så innebär det att vi inte älskar honom över allting, vilket innebär att vi ständigt syndar. Detta blir som ett omöjligt ok för oss för vi kan ju aldrig nå upp till en sådan nivå. De löser problemet (som de orsakade själva) med idén att Jesus kan vara syndfri i stället för oss och att vi kan åka snålskjuts på hans rättfärdighet. Genom att intala människor att de aldrig kan sluta synda så urvattnas synden totalt, och man kan då få en känsla av uppgivenhet gällande synden eftersom man tydligen alltid måste dras med den och aldrig bli kvitt den oavsett hur mycket vi än anstränger oss. Vad spelar det då för roll om man syndar ännu lite mer om synden alltid är ständigt närvarande? Vi skulle då alltid kunna lita på en falsk brandförsäkring i form av Jesus rättfärdighet som är insprutad in i oss – vilket inte Bibeln lär.

Det fanns gudomliga lagar från människosläktets begynnelse eftersom det bland annat var en synd för Kain att döda sin bror:

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.”

Människorna som levde under Adams tid blev alltså ombedda att RÅDA över synden, vilket betyder att de kunde stå emot den. Detta var långt innan Mose ens levde och det var han som gav israels folk de 613 lagarna som ofta benämns som “Mose lag“. Tio Guds bud är de första som blev nerskrivna, och man kan säga att de är en bra summering på självklara bud som gällt före, under och efter Mose tid – och för ALLA människor. Dessa tio bud inkluderas i det dubbla kärleksbudet och de blir ALDRIG någonsin omoderna! Bryter man dessa bud separeras man från Gud såvida man inte omvänder sig och det gäller som sagt även IDAG. De övriga buden som Mose fick gällde judarna och inte alla av buden gällde för evigt. Vissa av buden var dessutom kopplade till templet i Jerusalem och eftersom inte det finns kvar går det således inte att lyda buden som står i relation till det. Många av lagarna var ceremoniella och det vanligaste exemplet på en ceremoniell lag är omskärelsen.

Det är just omskärelsen som är det stora spöket i nya testamentet och som Paulus reagerar stå starkt emot. Väljer man att bli frälst på lagens väg går det inte an att välja och vraka bland buden eftersom ALLA då måste följas – och dessutom till punkt och pricka. Då är vi direkt tillbaka till gamla testamentet och Jesus har då dött för oss i onödan. Nedan vers summerar ganska bra varför Paulus spenderer så mycket tid och kraft för att varna för gärningslärare och för de som påstår att vi kan bli rättfärdiga genom lagen.

Apg: 15:5 Några från fariseernas parti hade kommit till tro, och de steg nu fram och sade att man måste omskära hedningarna och BEFALLA DEM ATT LYDA MOSE LAG

Gal. 4:9 Men nu, då ni känner Gud, ja, än mer, har blivit kända av Gud, hur kan ni då vända tillbaka till dessa svaga och ynkliga människostadgar som ni på nytt vill bli slavar under?

Drar man några verser ur sitt sammanhang så kanske det kan låta som att vi kan bli frälsta utan några gärningar överhuvudtaget (såsom i Rom. 4:5) vilket i så fall skulle innebära att han skulle säga emot Jakob, Johannes och Petrus, för att inte tala om sig själv. Men varningarna handlar alltså främst om de ceremoniella lagarna och inte den lydnad av Gud som gällt allt sedan Adams dagar, och som är inkluderat i det dubbla kärleksbudet. Paulus är INTE upprörd över att det fanns folk som spred budskapet att vi måste sluta med att lyda antika gamla lagar såsom att sluta mörda, stjäla, ljuga och begå äktenskapsbrott.  För sanningen är ju att vi inte är frälsta om vi bryter mot dessa bud! Paulus ogillade att de kristna tänkte gå tillbaka till den judiska lagen och till människostadgar. Här nedan är det än mer tydligt att Paulus gör skillnad på att lyda lagen (som tyngdpunkt på den ceremoniella lagen och med den falska tro att vi kan bli frälsta pga gärningar och/eller att vara födda judar) och att lyda GUD och hans bud:

1 Kor. 7.19 Det har ingen betydelse om någon är omskuren eller oomskuren. Vad som betyder något är att man håller Guds bud.

Gal. 5:6 Ty i Kristus Jesus beror det inte på om vi är omskurna eller oomskurna, utan om vi har en tro som är verksam i kärlek.

Gal. 6:15 Det har ingen betydelse om man är omskuren eller oomskuren. Det som verkligen betyder något är en ny skapelse.

Lagen i våra hjärtanlag i hjärtat

Numera är det tänkt att vi ska ha lagen i våra hjärtan och att vi ska följa den helige Ande. Han leder oss bort från synd, vilket är en stor hjälp för oss eftersom Bibeln lär oss att synd leder till döden.

Matt.22:36 ”Mästare, vilket är det största budet i lagen?” 37 Han svarade: ”Du skall älska Herren din Gud av hela ditt hjärta och av hela din själ och av hela ditt förstånd.38 Detta är det största och främsta budet. 39 Sedan kommer ett som liknar det: Du skall älska din nästa som dig själv. 40 På dessa två bud hänger hela lagen och profeterna.”

Johannes 15:12 Detta är mitt bud att ni skall älska varandra så som jag har älskat er.

Gal. 5:14 Ty hela lagen är uppfylld i detta enda budord: Du skall älska din nästa som dig själv. —18 Men om ni leds av Anden, står ni inte under lagen.

Rom. 8:2 Ty livets Andes lag har i Kristus Jesus gjort mig fri ifrån syndens och dödens lag.3 Ty det som lagen icke kunde åstadkomma, i det den var försvagad genom köttet, det gjorde Gud, då han, för att borttaga synden, sände sin Son i syndigt kötts gestalt och fördömde synden i köttet.4 Så skulle lagens krav uppfyllas i oss, som vandra icke efter köttet, utan efter Anden (1917)

Rom 13:8 Stå inte i skuld till någon utom i kärlek tillvarandra. Ty den som älskar sin nästa har uppfyllt lagen.

Rom. 3:31 Sätter vi då lagen ur kraft genom tron? Nej, inte alls! Vi upprätthåller lagen.

Mark. 7:8 Ni upphäver Guds bud och håller er till människors stadgar.”9 Han sade också till dem: ”Ni upphäver fullkomligt Guds bud för att hålla fast vid era egna stadgar. 10 Mose har sagt: Hedra din far och din mor och: Den som förbannar sin far eller sin mor skall straffas med döden. 11 Men ni påstår att om någon säger till sin far eller mor: Vad du kunde ha fått av mig ger jag i stället som ‘korban’, som offergåva,12 då tillåter ni honom inte längre att göra något för sin far eller mor. 13 Ni upphäver Guds ord genom de stadgar som ni följer och för vidare. Och mycket annat sådant gör ni.”

Gal. 5:16 Vad jag vill säga är detta: vandra i Anden, så kommer ni inte att göra vad köttet begär. 17 Ty köttet söker det som är emot Anden och Anden söker det som är emot köttet. De två strider mot varandra för att hindra er att göra det ni vill. 18 Men om ni leds av Anden, står ni inte under lagen. 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.22 Andens frukt däremot är kärlek, glädje, frid, tålamod, vänlighet, godhet,23 trohet, mildhet och självbehärskning. Sådant är lagen inte emot.24 De som tillhör Kristus Jesus har korsfäst sitt kött med dess lidelser och begär.25 Om vi har liv genom Anden, låt oss då även följa Anden.

Vi ska hålla buden och lära människor att göra detsamma – då blir vi störst i himmelriket

Vill du bli störst i himmelriket ska du för det första sluta att kritisera de som menar att vi KAN undvika att synda och att vi KAN vara Jesu trogna här och nu (och inte behöver vänta tills vi dör). Sen bör du ansluta dig till nämnda skara och hjälpa till att föra budskapet vidare till så många som möjligt. Det som bör predikas är omvändelse, Guds kärlek och att himmelriket är nära. Vi har olika gåvor och vi kan arbeta på lite olika sätt, men vi behövs alla i Guds församling!

Matt. 5:17 Tro inte att jag har kommit för att upphäva lagen eller profeterna. Jag har inte kommit för att upphäva utan för att fullborda. 18 Amen säger jag er: Innan himmel och jord förgår, skall inte en enda bokstav, inte en prick i lagen förgå, förrän allt har skett.19 DEN SOM DÄRFÖR UPPHÄVER ETT AV DESSA BUD och lär människorna så, han skall kallas den MINSTE i himmelriket. Men den som håller dem och lär människorna dem, han skall kallas stor i himmelriket. 20 Jag säger er att om er rättfärdighet inte går långt utöver de skriftlärdas och fariseernas, skall ni inte komma in i himmelriket.

Notera att det inte står att vi med knapp nöd kan komma in i Guds rike trots att vi syndar, för sanningen är ju att syndare inte kommer in i Guds rike. Jesus fortsätter ju sedan att säga att vi överhuvudtaget inte kommer in i Guds rike om vår rättfärdighet inte överträffar den som fariséerna har. Så gissningsvis handlar varningen om kristna som visserligen lever rättfärdigt men som ändå på något sätt förminskar det som ett eller flera av buden säger genom att exempelvis tro på vad andra säger om saken (eller av tradition och/eller andra skäl) och därför mer eller mindre lockar andra att synda då de valt att missförstå buden till sin egen nackdel. Förminskar man allvaret vad gäller överträdelse av lagen (tio Guds bud) så är risken större att människor syndar eftersom det tror att följderna inte är så allvarliga. Synd leder till döden, så vi får akta oss för att urvattna den.

1 Petrusbrevet 4:18 Och om den rättfärdige med knapp nöd blir frälst, vad blir det då av den ogudaktige och syndaren?

Fariséer brukar ofta förknippas med väldigt laglydiga individer. Felet med fariséerna var dock att de var laglydiga – ofta i absurdum – gällande de judiska ceremoniella lagarna men det var värre med den moraliska delen av lagen eftersom vi vet att de var HYCKLARE. De levde inte som de lärde, och de solade sig gärna i den beundran och den respekt de fick från dödliga människor i stället för att leva i ödmjukhet inför den levande Guden. Vi kan se att Jesus inte är i närheten av att föreslå en lösning på problemet som skulle kunna innebära att vi kan gömma oss bakom hans (framtida) blod och att han skulle kunna vara rättfärdig i stället för oss. Nej, han säger att VI måste lyda buden (den moraliska lagen) och se till att vi även lär andra människor att göra likadant. Det innebär att om vi sprider en lära som utmynnar i att ”ingen kan sluta synda”, ”vi syndar tills vi dör men vi är alltid förlåtna tack vare Jesu död”, ”vi kan alltid gömma oss bakom Jesu blod så att inte Gud ser vår synd”, ”om vi skulle kunna undvika synd så hade Jesus dött i onödan”, ”en gång frälst, alltid frälst”, ”synd leder numera inte till andlig död”, etc, så LÄR vi faktiskt andra att SYNDA eftersom vi förminskar allvaret med synden. Satan förminskade också syndens allvar när han lärde Eva att synd INTE leder till död. Satan LJÖG som bekant så svaret är inte att gömma sig bakom Jesus och tro att han är den som ska leva rättfärdigt så att vi slipper, utan svaret är omvändelse och att vi vandrar rättfärdigt i ljuset.

Gud ansåg inte att det var för svårt att lyda lagenlove

5 Mos. 30:2och du så vänder åter till HERREN, din Gud, och hör hans röst, du med dina barn, AV ALLT DITT HJÄRTA OCH AV ALL DIN SJÄL, i alla stycken såsom jag i dag bjuder dig 3då skall HERREN, din Gud, åter upprätta dig och förbarma sig över dig––10när du hör HERRENS, din Guds, röst, så att du håller hans bud och stadgar, det som är skrivet i denna lagbok, och när du vänder åter till HERREN, din Gud, av allt ditt hjärta och av all din själ.11Ty DET BUD SOM JAG I DAG GIVER DIG ÄR DIG ICKE FÖR SVÅRT och är icke långt borta.—14Nej, ordet är dig mycket nära, i din mun och i ditt hjärta, SÅ ATT DU KAN GÖRA DÄREFTER.15Se, jag förelägger dig i dag livet och vad gott är, döden och vad ont är,16då jag nu i dag bjuder dig (COMMAND YOU, KJV) att älska HERREN, din Gud, att vandra på hans vägar och HÅLLA HANS BUD och stadgar och rätter, för att du må leva och föröka dig, och för att HERREN, din Gud, må välsigna dig i det land dit du nu kommer, för att taga det i besittning.

1 John 5:3. Ty detta är kärleken till Gud, att vi håller hans bud. Och hans bud är INTE tunga

Titus 2:11 Ty Guds nåd har uppenbarats till frälsning för alla människor. 12 Den fostrar oss att säga NEJ till ogudaktighet och världsliga begär och att leva anständigt, rättfärdigt och gudfruktigt I DEN TID SOM NU ÄR 

Läs mer om lagen i den här artikeln.

The IRS in the USA is using mafia methods

May24

Lois Lerner at IRS hearing

The way that the Obama administration has chosen to run the country is frightening and the IRS scandal is unfortunately one in a row of unfortunate things that have unfolded while Obama has been in rule. (There are even concerns about how clean the president election really was due to many charges of voter frauds.) Either he doesn’t know much about what’s happening all around him and in his own administration, or he does know but doesn’t care – and we can speculate if he might even be in charge of it. Either option is devastating for him, and America deserves a better situation than this.

Article by Jay Sekulow May. 23, 2013 is found here Letters of Intimidation to Tea Party Groups from Lois Lerner – IRS Director of Exempt Organizations.

Isaiah 53:4 Jesus did not literally BEAR our sins on himself and in his body

May22

kors 7Jesus did not literally BEAR our sins on himself or in his body

Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet WE did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

This is a prophesy about Jesus Christ, and it was made by the prophet Isaiah about 800 years before Jesus was even born. When you read this verse which event do you think it concerns and which prophesy in the New Testament do you believe has come true through this old prophesy? Do you believe it’s Jesus death on the cross – because that’s where he died for the sins of the world? This is only true in part. Jesus did literally bear the cross he was about to be nailed upon – a symbol for getting us cleansed and saved – but if we should go by the Bible text this is actually not what Matthew had in mind with the expression ”he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows”. Believe it or not, but Matthew suggests that this particular prophesy was fulfilled even before the suffering on cross, specifically when Jesus was still living and walked around among people to cast out evil spirits and heal the sick!

Matt 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:17 THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ESAIAS THE PROPHET, saying, Himself . Isa. 53:4

As you can see, it’s the concept of casting out evil spirits and healing the sick that is considered being the fulfillment by Isaiah 53:4. There is an interesting comparison between Jesus getting people free by casting out demons from them and healing them from illnesses, AND dying as a sin offering for the people of the world in order to make them free from their sins which they are chained by. When Jesus walked around among people and healed them from their illnesses, he did NOT take their sins in his body, and neither did he bear people’s sins  in him or on him in any way. He did not even briefly take their illnesses in his body prior to removing them completely, because he simply REMOVED the illnesses without having the sins making a detour in his body before he did so. The Bible is clear that Jesus died to REMOVE THE SINS OF THE WORLD – and naturally not without conditions, or else everyone would be saved.

So when we read in Isaiah 53:4 that Jesus BORE our illnesses, Matthew equals this information with that he REMOVED them and that is the way that Jesus handles our sins. He makes an arrangement to simply have them REMOVED under certain conditions. Jesus only bore our sins symbolically, in the same sense that the  the sacrificed animals in the old testament bore the sins of the people. The animals didn’t become sinful (as some of the proponents of the penal substitution believe) but they were simply offered as perfect sin offerings and died FOR the sins of the people. The animals were sweet-smelling, just like the offer of the son before his Father, and if something is labelled as sweet smelling you don’t turn away from it but you fully embrace it. The death of the son was planned long before it happened so it would have been rather cowardly for a Father to turn his back on his son when he needed him the most. Read more about this issue in this article.

John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Hebr. 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.—28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Eph. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Here are some different translations of  Isaiah 53:5:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (KJV)

The chastisement FOR our peace was upon Him (NKJV)

Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace (ESV)

Here are some different translations of Isaiah 53:6 (“to fall” comes closer to the Hebrew):

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (KJV)

—And Jehovah hath caused to meet on him, The punishment of us all (Young’s literal)

— But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. (NASB)

Also Peter uses Isaiah’s choice of words and it’s true that Jesus symbolically bore our sins in his body (as in “bearing” the burden/responsibility or similar) and died for us. Jesus body suffered for our sake, so we can say that he symbolically “bore” our sins in his aching body, or “on his shoulders”. He wouldn’t have to suffer had it not been for our sins. Peter doesn’t argue against the interpretation of Matthew:

1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

In the same chapter we can read that Jesus “bore” the sins of many, and if this word means “remove” earlier in the chapter – as Matthew claims – then it should mean the same thing here. In Isaiah 53:11-12 the Hebrew words sabal and nasa are translated in the Septuagint with anaphero. ”Is. 53:11 He  shall bear (sabal/anaphero) their iniquities”. ”Anaphero” is translated ”remove” in other places, and it makes perfect sense that Jesus REMOVE sins.

Isaiah: 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

God the Father never punished Jesus, and Jesus didn’t take our punishment instead of us or God’s wrath instead of us!straffa

Notice that it says in Is. 53:4 that ”WE did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted”. So in OUR view (not necessarily in God’s view) that is what it appeared to us, and it’s not hard to get this exact picture if we look up to Jesus on the cross to see him hanging there in distress, with much blood, bruises, sweat and with facial expressions revealing excruciating pain for our sake. The soldiers under the cross might even have suggested that God had punished Jesus for making himself equal with Him. God the Father of course has no reason to PUNISH Jesus for doing his exact will by dying for mankind, which was the plan all along! Nevertheless, Jesus suffered greatly on the cross but not because his Father sadistically wanted to harm him but because wicked hands caused the pain. God allowed it to happen because of the aim to have his son offering up his life for us, and this is tied to a high price which includes much suffering, stress and agony. Only in that sense can we say that “it pleased God to bruise him”, even if the Father was not a cause of it. Nowhere in the Bible can we read that Jesus was PUNISHED for our sins, even if it is an oft-mentioned claim.

Jesus did not die “instead of us” because if that were true then WE wouldn’t have to die, which we know is not true. Jesus died for ALL but he clearly didn’t die instead of ALL because then ALL would be free from the risk of ever having to die. But we are all going to die physically, and some of those people who Jesus died for will also die spiritually. (The KJV Bible offers a good translation when it comes to the Greek word ”huper”, because it’s translated with “for” when it comes to the atonement on the cross and not “instead of”.)  Neither did Jesus die “in our place”. Was our place ever supposed to be on the cross? Of course not. And if  Jesus death on the cross means that he took the punishment “instead of us”, then those people who Jesus died for (every single one) would be forever free from any punishment no matter how they lived their lives. We would all be born saved and our sins would be forgiven before they were even committed because Jesus has already paid for them and he has taken the punishment for those sins on himself and “instead of us”. Clearly that will turn into an unbiblical theology. If anyone does something “instead of” someone else, then it doesn’t make sense that BOTH  still end up doing the task in question. If a prisoner at war is told that he must be executed, and someone else steps forward and makes an offer to take this punishment in the other person’s stead (instead of him) and the offer is accepted, then it doesn’t make sense if BOTH will be executed!

Right terminology please!

Maybe you feel that it’s splitting hairs to even discuss if it’s better to say “instead of” or “for“, but it’s helpful to sort this out to get a better understanding of these things in order to not risk ending up with false doctrines. It’s not a salvation matter BUT false terms can be the reason why much heresy is creeping into our churches, and one false doctrine can easily lead to another false doctrine. That’s also exact what has happened in many of our churches today, and we have various degrees of gnosticism among us without even being aware of it.

Let’s say that you’ve been guilty of speeding way too fast in your car, and a police man stops you and writes you a ticket. Your kind FRIEND then offers to pay for it and he does so right away!  Wouldn’t you be quite surprised if you still received a reminder in your mailbox, to pay for this exact ticket that is supposed to have been PAID IN FULL! Was the ticket paid in full or not? Did Jesus pay for our sins or not? PAID IS PAID! IF Jesus paid for our sins (which the Bible doesn’t say), then you should be completely off the hook, and no one has any right to demand anything else from you since Jesus paid for your sins – which means that your sins should have been paid for and forgiven before you even committed them. We know that this is not the case though, and that’s why it’s better to phrase ourselves in a more Biblical way. IF you insist on using the word “pay” (I wouldn’t advise it, and it’s better to say “Jesus died FOR our sins“, then it’s better to say:

Jesus paid a big price for us, since he gave his own life

instead of:

Jesus paid for our sins

The punishment that we deserve is an eternity in Hell, is it not? Did Jesus take that punishment upon himself and instead of us? Of course not. Neither does God the Father have a need to pour out wrath on someone for no reason, and naturally he wouldn’t even think about pouring out wrath on his son who was obedient unto death. If Jesus “satisfied God’s wrath” or “took God’s wrath on himself and instead of us“, then none of us would have to risk being affected by God’s wrath even if we sinned all day long. If Jesus took this wrath on himself, then we shouldn’t have to do this as well, but the Biblical truth is that God will show wrath on those who refuse to believe and/or those who do evil and that includes also christians. This means Jesus didn’t satisfy God’s wrath. 

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God

Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath ofGod upon the children of disobedience.

It’s a huge difference between these two claims (the first being the best):

“Jesus died as a sin offering for all mankind (a high price), and by doing so enabled whosoever to be saved on the condition that they believe and repent”

“Jesus paid for our SINS on the cross and died instead of us and in our place. He also took our punishment instead of us and satisfied God’s wrath”

As we can see below, our sins are not actually removed until we REPENT. It’s also interesting to see that also Luke (or rather Peter who Luke is talking about) connects the power to heal the sick with the majestic power which derives from Jesus sin offering on the cross and faith in him.

Acts 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.16 And his name through faith in his name HATH MADE THIS MAN STRONG, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this PERFECT SOUNDNESS in the presence of you all.17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.18 But those things, which God before had shewed BY THE MOUTH OF ALL HIS PROPHETS, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.19 REPENT ye therefore, and be converted, THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE BLOTTED OUT, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we would evangelize to others by saying:sök

”Good news! Jesus took your place on the cross, he took your punishment instead of you , he took the wrath of God instead of you, your sins are fully PAID and forgiven, it’s finished and there is nothing you can do, etc”

then the people who are listening (believers or non-believers) might think:

”Well, that’s good. Then I was born saved and I won’t risk losing my salvation no matter how I choose to live my life because all my sins were paid for and forgiven even before I commit them. No one can require to get paid for an invoice or a debt twice. Paid is paid! And Jesus took my punishment instead of me on the cross, and that means that I don’t have to fear for any future punishments because JESUS took those punishments on himself. Jesus did it all and I can relax and I can afford to do nothing!.”

Jesus is said to be the ”propitiation” for our sins and this English word is originally from latin and means “favorable, gracious, kind” or “render favorable.” This latin word is used to translate the Greek word hilasterion which is used 22 times in the Septuagint. Hilasterion is used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew term for ”covering” or ”mercy-seat“, which is the cover of the Ark where the blood from offerings was placed to give ”atonement” for the sins of the people.

2 Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin

The above can also be translated as “to be a SIN OFFERING for us”, just like the below verse indicates.

Hebrews 10:8 — saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure therein.

It is not uncommon to translate the original word for ”sin” as ”sin offering” and the same is true in Hebrews 10:6-8 which is a quotation from Psalm 40:6. In this Psalm the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Hebrew text) also does not have the word ”sacrifice” in the text.

Read more in this blog article

Psalm 119 about undefiled believers who obeyed the law of God

May20

law of GodWhen you read the below psalm 119 (also called Alfa-Beta), do you get the impression that the writer feels that he cannot completely obey the law of  God and that he has been unsuccessful in seeking God with all his heart? I get the exact opposite picture; that he is confident of that he has obeyed every single commandment that God has given him. Maybe he doesn’t claim to have done this his entire life but at least for a very long time, and he also appears rather confident of that he can continue to be faithful to God for the rest of his life.  The secret is to be near God (through prayers, songs, Bible reading and testimonies) and to let his law be in our hearts.

This psalm is believed to have been written by King David (starts with Aleph which is the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet), and it’s actually the longest chapter in the whole Bible with 176 verses. The torah is referred to throughout the chapter and also some synonyms for the torah (such as dabar for “word, promise” and mishpatim for “rulings“). Those are blessed who are undefiled and who walk in the law of God, and they are not non-existent since the writer speaks about them as a reality.

Psalm 119: Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.2 Blessed are they that keep His testimonies and that seek Him with the whole heart.3 They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.4 Thou hast COMMANDED us to keep Thy precepts diligently;—.8 I will keep Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly!9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not wander from Thy commandments!11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.—21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, that err from Thy commandments.22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept Thy testimonies.—.30 I have chosen the way of truth; Thy judgments have I laid before me.—32 I will run in the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end.34 Give me understanding and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.35 Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments, for therein do I delight.36 Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness;–—.44 So shall I keep Thy law continually, for ever and ever.45 And I will walk in liberty, for I seek Thy precepts.—.51 The proud have held me greatly in derision, yet have I not departed from Thy law.—53 Horror hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake Thy law.54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.55 I have remembered Thy name, O Lord, in the night and have kept Thy law.56 This I had, because I kept Thy precepts.57 Thou art my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Thy words.58 I entreated Thy favor with my whole heart; be merciful unto me according to Thy word.59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep Thy commandments.—63 I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts.—67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept Thy word.68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes.69 The proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep Thy precepts with my whole heart.—73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.—101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy word.—112 I have inclined mine heart to perform Thy statutes alway, even unto the end.—115 Depart from me, ye evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God.—

Also God seems to believe that we can be successful in obeying his commandments.

Deut. 30:10 IF thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and IF thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. 11For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. —14But the word is VERY NIGH unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, THAT THOU MAYEST DO IT. 15See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 17But IF thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; 18I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. 19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 

MALIN ROOS och att inte vilja rösta på en sång för att sångarna är kristna

May14

salvation armyVad skulle du säga om  en programledare som sitter i panelen för ett  “inför Eurovisionsschlagerfinalen-program” på TV uttryckte sig ungefär så här:

“När jag lyssnade på det här bidraget för första gången så tyckte jag VERKLIGEN om låten, men då visste jag inte att sångarna var homosexuella. MEN sen fick jag reda på att de var det och då blev jag genast mer tveksam om jag faktiskt tyckte om låten eller ej.” 

och vidare…

“Jaha, nu är min tur att rösta på en av dem tävlande bidragen för kvällen. Så ni två röstade på Schweiz bidrag (med de homosexualla sångarna) och jag måste erkänna att jag faktiskt också tycker att de var bäst i kväll. Så jag måste nog lägga min röst på dem MEN DET BÄR MIG EMOT!”

Skulle inte du bli ganska paff om du fick höra programledaren yttra sig på det sättet, och skulle inte du undra hur någon ens kan överväga att INTE rösta på en låt bara för att sångarna är homosexuella? Borde inte en duktig programledare för ett sådant program uppmuntra alla att rösta på bidrag för att de exempelvis gillar låten, framförandet och/eller sångrösterna, och INTE för att de har fel ras, kön, religion eller sexuell läggning?

Nu var det inte homosexualitet som Malin Roos hakade upp sig på under ovan nämnda program på SVT under gårdagen utan hon uttryckte sig på ett sådant sätt för att artisterna var KRISTNA, och/eller för att de tillhörde specifikt Frälsningsarmén. Det handlade  om Schweizs bidrag med ett gäng musikanter från just en falang av Schweizs frälsningsarmé – men eftersom det handlar om kristna så verkar det vara helt legitimt att uttrycka sig plumpt och nedvärderande. Min gissning är att SVT ALDRIG I LIVET skulle släppa ett program om Malins kommentarer skulle handla om homosexuella eller muslimer. De grupperna står ofta högst upp på “fridlyst-listan” över grupper som man inte får säga något negativt om eftersom man då är homofob eller islamofob. Att kritisera judar och kristna däremot verkar vara acceptabelt i Sverige, och kanske t o m politiskt korrekt.

Israel verkar vara Sveriges favoritland att trycka ner och kritisera, trots att det borde finnas en rad andra länder att hellre kritisera som inte är i närheten av att vara ett sådant demokratiskt land som Israel, och jag kommer att tänka på en kort dialog om Israel av SVT:s programledare under en direktsänd schlagerfinal 2002.

Claes Åkeson: “Vi närmar oss det tionde bidraget, ett bidrag som en del menar inte skulle få vara med, med tanke på hur de hanterar sin konflikt med Palestina”.

Christer Björkman: “JA, alltså, jag har jättesvårt för den här låten. Det är ett praktfullt pekoral””

Vem som helst uppfattar detta som kritik mot Israel som land och det är en enastående onödig och klantig politisk kommentar som inte hör hemma i ett neutralt sångprogram. Det är alltid listigt att uttrycka vissa åsikter med “en del tycker” för då kan man alltid ursäkta sig med att det faktiskt inte var en personlig åsikt utan en åsikt som “andra” har och då har man ryggen fri. Och hur borde förresten Israel bättre hantera konflikten som de aldrig bett om att få? Hur borde de bättre beskydda sina invånare (judar och araber) som regelbundet blir attackerade från grannländer vars ledare öppet säger att de vill förinta dem? Rasera stängsel så att bomber/vapen lättare kan komma in i landet, upphöra att försvara sig och i stället ducka och hoppas på det bästa?

Verkligen oproffsigt av programledare att inte kunna presentera vanliga neutrala schlagerbidrag utan att göra nedvärderande kommentarer om religion och politik. Det är väl Nr 1 på listan att tänka på?

Martin Luther hade en del om bakfoten

May14

FearTorbjörn Edebol skrev i tidningen Dagen en artikel om en förhoppning att låta det kommande 500-årsmminnet av reformationen bli en bibelrenässans i Luthers efterföljd, men jag delar inte  hans uppfattning om Martin Luther även om Luther skrivit en del upplyftande saker. Det är inte bara Luthers förskräckliga och hårrresande generaliseringar om judarna som jag tänker på – och som tyvärr utnyttjades av andra för att motivera rättigheten att konfiskera judarnas ägodelar och förfölja dem – utan jag tänker på framför allt tre obibliska läror som influerat Norden och stora delar av världen.

1) Den gnostiska idén att människan ärvt Adams synd

Utan något känt undantag så lärde ingen av de gamla kyrkofäderna ut något sådant de första 300-400 åren e Kr, och det var inte förrän Augustinus (en före detta gnostiker) trädde fram på scenen som denna idé infördes till kyrkan. John Kalvin (1509-1564) och Martin Luther (1483–1546) anammade Augustinus (354–430) nya läror och spred dem sedan vidare, och idag är det de som motsätter sig arvsynden som anses vara villolärare trots att det var precis tvärt om de första 300+ åren. Men även om vi ska försöka intala oss själva att samtliga kyrkofäder hade fel så är förstås det viktiga vad BIBELN säger, och den säger ingenstans att vi är födda i synd. Inte ens i Romarbrevet 5 där det tydligt står att DÖDEN (inte synden) kommit över alla människor av anledningen att vi syndat. Inte för att vi ärvt Adams synd. Vi dör däremot fysiskt pga Adam eftersom vi inte kan nå livets träd pga honom. Den makabra läran att vi alla är födda i synd har resulterat i barndopstraditionen (för att hindra bebisar att gå själsligt förlorade om de skulle råka dö innan dopet) men sanningen är att bebisar inte ens har kapacitet att synda och de är totalt oskyldiga. Synda är någonting man gör och ingenting man kan ärva.

2) Det saliga bytet

Det verkar som denna obibliska idé och begreppet i sig självt faktiskt härrör sig till Martin Luther, även om sådana tankegångar fanns innan hos Anselm av Canterbury (som introducerade försoningsläran) och Augustinus. Bibeln lär att när vi omvänder oss från våra synder så TAS DE BORT. De raderas helt enkelt, och de överförs inte först på Jesus. Bildligt talat kan man säga att Jesus “tagit våra synder på sig” på korset, men på så sätt att han bildligt talat tar dem “på sina axlar”. Ingenstans i Bibeln står det att JESUS rättfärdighet är insprutad/överförd till oss. Jesus är vår rättfärdighet på det sättet att han levt ett syndfritt liv för vår skull och för att han möjliggjort rening i hans blod på villkor att vi omvänder oss. Sedan är det tänkt att VI (inte Jesus) ska leva rättfärdigt, och om vi syndar igen är vi smutsiga igen och INTE rättfärdiga. Tro det eller ej, men Bibeln lär att den som GÖR rätt är rättfärdig. Inte den som fått en injektion av Jesus rättfärdighet.

3) Läran att vi är frälsta av tro allena när Bibeln tydligt säger att vi INTE är frälsta av tro allena (Jak. 2:24)

Luther var osäker på om Jakobsbrevet verkligen var kanoniskt och uttryckte t o m att den borde raderas ur Bibeln (Luther’s Works, 54, 424-425). Han tyckte inte alls om Jakobs påstående att vi INTE är frälsta av tro allena. Men Jakob var tydlig med att tro utan gärningar är död och Paulus argumenterade inte emot honom. Paulus försökte däremot få judarna att förstå att de inte är frälsta för att de omskär sig eller lyder andra ceremoniella lagar. Efter Jesu död är det inte tänkt att vi ska lyda de 613 lagarna från Moses, men däremot ska vi lyda Anden som leder oss bort från synd. Synd är att bryta kärleksbudet vilket summerar tio Guds bud. Vidare riskerar vi att huggas av vinträdet pga brist på frukt (Joh. 15).

Ovan läror har tyvärr nästlat sig in i våra kyrkor och fått oss att tro att vi faktiskt inte kan sluta synda och det finns t o m människor som tror att vi syndar ständigt i tanke, ord och gärningar. Vad är det för vits med att omvända sig om det inte kan gå ens en dag utan att vi syndar igen? Om tanken är att vi är frälsta trots att vi syndar, bara vi tror på Gud (tro allena) så är väl detta att hålla med det Satan lärde ut i Eden när han hävdade att synd INTE leder till döden?

1 Mosebok 3:4 Då sade ormen till kvinnan: “NI SKALL VISST INTE DÖ!

En sådan enkel lögn som det borde vara lätt att avslöja och slå hål på, men ändå smyger vi in sådana tankegångar i kyrkan utan att vi kanske ens är medvetna om det: Vi lär ju varandra att vi är födda med en syndfull natur som tvingar oss att synda vare sig vi vill eller ej, vilket innebär att vi faktiskt har bra ursäkter för vår synd och vilket vidare riskerar att locka till mer synd. För vad kan hända? Jesus har ju dessutom tagit våra synder på sig och vi har fått HANS rättfärdighet, och då kan inte ens Gud se våra synder pga Jesu blod som är som ett filter framför hans ögon. Vi har alltså ha råd med att leva orättfärdigt eftersom vi är rättfärdiga i position även om vi inte är det i handling. Vidare är vi ju frälsta av tro ALLENA, så det här med synd och frukt inverkar inte på våra själar. Bara vi tror på Gud…

Läs gärna mer detaljer om dessa ämnen på min blogg, och läs gärna detta blogginlägg om Martin Luther.

CALVINISM – the teaching that God is the author of sin and that even babies are sinners

May13

babyCalvinism makes God to be the author of sin, if the calvinist would like to be consistent with his own doctrines. Some in fact do try to be consistent and claim that the most hideous deeds you could ever think of are still predestined by God because “nothing happens against the will of God”. To be consistent they must also believe that 1 month old babies can sin, and even unborn babies!

Thanks to Jesse Morell for the below

Calvinism grieves my heart and it disturbs me to see so many Calvinistic posts on Facebook and Calvinistic materials and preachers being so popular in our day. Scriptural problems I have with Calvinism:

1. Calvinism says that God decreed all sin when the Bible says sin breaks the heart of God and wills holiness and obedience from His subjects.

2. Calvinism says that men are under the wrath of God for the sin of Adam when the Bible says that the son does not bear the iniquity of the father and we will all give an account for our own deeds.

3. Calvinism says that man’s free will was lost by Adam’s original sin when the Bible never says this but instead continues to appeal to man’s free moral agency after Adam’s fall.

4. Calvinism says that all men inherit a sinful nature from Adam when the Bible never even says that Adam’s nature was sinful but instead asserts that God forms our nature in the womb.

5. Calvinism says that all events are the eternal will of God when the Bible represents God as grieved, disappointed, and surprised over many events that have occurred.

6. Calvinism says that God has irresistibly decreed all events from eternity past, when the Bible says that God has canceled and reversed some of His own prophecies and teaches that the future is not yet entirely fixed and settled.

7. Calvinism says that God has given man a moral law which He is incapable of keeping when the Bible says that God is just, never allows us to be tempted above our ability, and only obligates us to love Him with all of our ability.

8. Calvinism says that Jesus Christ came and took our punishment when the Bible says that our punishment is eternal hell.

9. Calvinism says that Jesus Christ came and paid our debt when the Bible says that God forgives us our debt.

10. Calvinism says that Jesus Christ took the punishment of our sins when the Bible says that God forgives us our sins.

11. Calvinism says that Jesus Christ came and took the wrath of God when the Bible says that God still has wrath after the atonement, that sinners are not saved from God’s wrath until conversion, that the atonement was instead a justification of His mercy, and that believers who return to their sins return to the wrath of God.

12. Calvinism says that Jesus Christ became sinful and guilty on the cross when the Bible says He died the just for the unjust and offered Himself without spot or blemish to God.

13. Calvinism says that those for whom Christ died can never perish when the Bible warns that those for whom Christ died can perish.

14. Calvinism says that Christ only died for a few elect when the Bible says that Jesus died for the world and all men.

15. Calvinism says that God wants most sinners to remain in their sins and die and go to hell, to somehow glorify His justice, when the Bible says God wants all men to repent and be saved.

16. Calvinism says that men cannot repent and believe when the Bible commands men to repent and believe and blames them if they do not.

17. Calvinism says that men cannot repent and believe because they are born spiritually dead because of Adam when the Bible says that men are dead or alienated from God because of their own trespasses and sins and says the prodigal son was able to return to the father even though he was dead to the father.

18. Calvinism says that God predestined individuals for heaven or hell when the Bible says that God has chosen to offer salvation to the Jews and the Gentiles, grafting in some and cutting off others based upon their faith or unbelief.

19. Calvinism says that God predestined some for Heaven and most for hell according to the pleasure of His will, when the Bible says that God sent Jesus to die for all, commands all men to repent and believe, is drawing all men unto Himself, is not willing that any should perish, and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

20. Calvinism says that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers when the Bible says that our faith is imputed as righteousness.

21. Calvinism says that God doesn’t see believers if they sin, but see’s imputed righteousness instead, when the Bible says God is omniscient and nothing is hide from His eyes.

22. Calvinism says that true believers will persevere unto the end when the Bible exhorts believers to persevere, warns of damnation if they do not, and speaks of some who have departed from the faith.

My list can go on and on but these are just some of the major points.

Do read this article how calvinism can creep into our church unnoticed

The only true God in John 17:3 does not exclude Jesus

May13

kors 7And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3)

If Jesus must be excluded if God is “the only true…God”, then why is not Jesus excluded elsewhere where God is said to be “the only” something? And why is GOD not excluded when JESUS is said to be “the only....” something? If you check the verses below you will see examples of where either God or Jesus is called “the only”, and yet most antitrinitarians have no problem including the other one. It’s only when it comes to John 17:3 where they for some reason do NOT want to include Jesus, and we already know the reason. If they did, they have to let go of a beloved verse which they have always viewed as proof for that Jesus isn’t God, and now they are left with nothing.

God…

  • Is the only one who is God – John 17:3, Is. 43:10, Is. 45:18, Ps. 86:10 (yet JESUS is too 1 Hebr. 1:8, 1 John 5:20, John 20:28)
  • Is the only one who is Lord (despotes, Strong’s 1203) – Jude 4 (yet JESUS is too 2 Pet. 2:1)
  • Is the only one who is King of Kings – 1 Tim. 6.15 (yet JESUS is too Rev. 17:14, Rev. 19.16)
  • Is the only one who is  Lord of Lords – 1 Tim. 6.15 (yet JESUS is too Rev. 17:14, Rev. 19.16)
  • Is the only one to be exalted on that day – Is. 2:11, 17 compare also with Ps. 118:16 (yet JESUS is too  Acts. 2:33, Acts 5:31, Phil 2:9)
  • Is the only one who is immortal – 1 Tim. 6.16 (yet JESUS is too Hebr. 1:8-12)
  • Is the only one who is Savior – Is. 43:11, Is. 45:21-22 (yet JESUS is too Titus 2:13, 2 Pet. 1:1, Acts. 13:23, Acts. 4:12, 1 Tim. 1:15)
  • Is the only one who make wonders/miracles – Ps. 72:18, Ps. 136:4 (yet JESUS too Matt. 4:23, 8:27, Acts. 4:10)
  • Is the only Creator and NO ONE was with him – Is. 25:24, Neh. 9:6 (yet JESUS is too Hebr. 1:10, Col 1:16-17)
  • Is the only one who we should worship – Rev. 14:7, Matt. 4:10, Neh. 9:6 (yet JESUS too Matt. 28:9, 28:17)
  • Is the only one who has Glory and who doesn’t share his glory with anyone – Is. 42:8, Is. 48:11 (yet JESUS too Phil. 2:9-13)

Jesus…

  • Is the only one who is Lord – 1 Cor. 8:6 (yet GOD too Deut. 10:17, Is. 42:8)
  • Is the only one who is Holy – Rev. 15:3-4 (yet GOD too Ex. 5:11, Is. 57:15)

The fear of accepting that Jesus is GOD in flesh

Antitrinitarians often cite John. 17:3 as an attempt to deny the deity of Jesus, by suggesting that Jesus would never call his Father “the only true God” had he been God himself because there is only ONE God. It’s absolutely true that God is ONE, but why not ONE Godhead? Why cannot three persons be in the same trinity? Can God not be in any way he wants? Can God not be in a burning bush at the same time as he is in heaven, and at the same time as he oversees every single step that all people on earth make during the same second? Can he not be on every continent at the same time? Jesus can be on the right side of God, just like he is in the midst of a group who gathers together in his name.

Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

I’d like to believe that Jesus is present in our midst (albeit not in flesh) when two or more are gathered together in his name. Does this mean that he is unable to also be in the midst of other groups of people who gather together in his name somewhere else on earth – if they happen to gather together at the same time? Must we sit there with the hope that he is not already fully booked and unable to attend our meetings because his schedule is full and he is busy elsewhere? I’d like to believe that none of the persons in the Godhead have any problems at all to be in several places at the same time, and consequently Jesus doesn’t have any problems with sitting at the right hand side of God (the Father) despite being God himself. One pile of sand can be divided into three piles of sand, and our Lord can likewise be split apart should he want to. The persons in the Godhead are not divided in essence but they can split apart and act independently, but in unity, within the trinity.

Gal. 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

What would be a better way for Jesus to phrase himself? Should he have said:  “…that they might know thee the only true God, and myself Jesus Christ – the second only true God”? That would make it sound there were several true Gods, and there would be a risk that the people around him would misunderstand him, be confused and even enraged – way too soon in history because it wasn’t time for his death just yet. Jesus only wanted to show them that there is indeed ONE true God, and that is the one that he communicates with just like the people around him. Did he communicate with himself? No, he communicated with another person in the same Godhead. Jesus constantly prayed to God the Father (often called just GOD), and the last time was when he was on the cross. As God in FLESH Jesus communicated with God the Father in the same way as all other people – by praying –  but he of course has a very special relationship since he shares the same Godhead. When Jesus was not in flesh (Jesus has always been with the Father from eternity past) but in spirit, he didn’t communicate through prayers. Since Jesus is both God and man, he would properly say that his Father is the only true God. Are there other true Gods? Of course not. There is only ONE. He was not denying His own divinity but affirming the truth that God is one, as the scriptures properly say.

“But Jesus is speaking about this “only true God” in third person and that should mean that Jesus himself couldn’t be God“? It’s true that he referred to God in third person but he also refers to himself in third person! If Jesus cannot be God due to referring to God in third person, then neither can he be Jesus Christ by the same logic.

Jesus is not only God, but the son of God. He isn’t Joseph’s true son, so he must be someone else’s true son, and he is God the Father’s son (or sprung from the trinity). But it was also Jesus own decision to be born on earth, as he has always been a part of the trinity. I personally believe that when Jesus was born on earth, he behaved just like all other babies, and I don’t believe he had wisdom enough to know he was God at the age of 3 weeks, 3 months, etc. I don’t believe he knew he was God as a baby, because he was just a baby and behaved like babies normally do. As soon as he grew up and had the capacity to reason, he knew he was divine, and again, it was his own decision to be born as a man (first baby) on earth for our sake. His mission was to spread the gospel and die as a sin offering for all mankind, and he is also called son of man. As a man on earth, he too communicated with God (the Father). Jesus was also one of us.

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.

GOD is the true Godthe first and the last

Jer. 10:10 But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

God the Father is the one true God

Joh. 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent 

Jesus Christ is the true God – 1 John 5:20

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

The most natural way to read “this” or “this one” above (or in similar statements) is to make it refer to the most previous person mentioned, which would here be Jeus Kristus. Or else John should have clarified exactly who he was referring to, if the most natural way of reading his text is supposed to be avoided. God is not a God of confusion. Take note of  John’s way of starting out his letter in  1 John 1:1, where he states that the eternal life (Jesus) was with the Father – which is repeated in 1 John 15:19-20.  Jesus is also the true light. It doesn’t make sense, if monotheism is true, to have two separate persons/Gods who both are called the eternal life, the true light, IAM, alpha and omega, the Lord of Lords, Savior, Creator, etc, and who on top of all are being worshiped. Either Jesus is God, or we have a God Senior and a God Junior, which is polytheism.

Ps. 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

1 Joh. 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

1 Joh. 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.—22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

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.10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John. 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Joh. 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Joh. 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Evangelical scholar Robert M. Bowman Jr. about John. 5:20:

Three considerations favor the Son. First, the closest antecedent for “this one” is Jesus Christ (“in his Son Jesus Christ. This one…”). Second, in 1:2 the “eternal life” is Jesus Christ (who was “with the Father”), an apparent example ofinclusio (repetition of a theme or idea at the beginning and end of a text). Third, the confession form “This one is…” (houtos estin) strongly favors Jesus Christ, rather than the Father, as the subject, since John uses this language repeatedly with regard to Christ (John 1:30, 33, 34; 4:29, 42; 6:14, 42, 50, 58; 7:18, 25, 26, 40, 41; 1 John 5:6; of the man born blind, John 9:8, 9, 19, 20; of the disciple, John 21:24; of the anti-Christ, 1 John 2:22; 2 John 1:7), but not once for the Father. John has just used this formula for Christ earlier in the same chapter (1 John 5:6). (Robert M. Bowman, The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity: An Outline Study, Part IV. The Son, Jesus Christ, Is God; *)

Dr. Robert A. Morey:

“That there may be a few rare exceptions to a general rule does not mean that one should approach a text of Scripture with the a priori assumption that it will be an exception to the normal rules of grammar.Instead, we should approach a text with the a priori assumption that the normal rules of grammar and syntax will apply unless there are cleargrammatical reasons to depart from those rules. “Please notice that we said ‘grammatical’–not ‘theological’–reasons. Just because the grammar of a text leads to an idea which contradicts what you believe, this does not give you the right to throw grammar to the wind. Theology cannot overthrow or ignore the grammar of the sacred text. It can only bow before it…”

“The Greek text of 1 John 5:20 is simple and straightforward. John used houtos fifty-five times in his writings. Thus, we are not talking about a rare usage of a rare word. There are plenty of places in John’s writings where houtos was used in the same kind of construction as found in 1 John 5:20 and no one has any problem with houtos referring back to the antecedent… Why then all the hysteria over whether houtos refers to Jesus in 1 John 5:20? Obviously, it is not the grammar or syntax of the Greek that causes people to question whether houtos refers to Jesus Christ per se. It is that it refers to Him as God. That is the real issue. “If the text read, ‘Iesou Christo. houtos estin zoe Aionios (‘Jesus Christ. This is Eternal Life’), there would be no controversy whatsoever.Houtos would be seen as referring to ‘Iesou Christo. But once you add ho alethinos theos to the phrase, then the controversy begins.”

“The evidence for Jesus being called ‘the true God’ and ‘Eternal Life’ is quite strong:

1. The general rule on pronouns is that it modifies the immediate antecedent. This means Jesus Christ…

2) While John elsewhere refers to Jesus as ‘Eternal Life’ (1 John 1:2), the Father is never called ‘Eternal Life.’ More importantly, in the immediate context, since Jesus is ‘eternal life,’ then to have Him in your heart is to have eternal life (1 John 5:11-12). In John’s writings, refers to zoe Aionios ‘Eternal Life’ Jesus.

3) John applies the adjective alethinos ‘true’ to Jesus many times…

4) That the Father is called ‘true God’ in John 17:3 and the Son is called ‘true God’ in 1 John 5:20 is no more a contradiction than the fact that they are both called the ‘true One’ (1 John 5:20; cf. Rev. 3:7).

5) The interpretation that ‘the true God’ refers to the Father leads to a meaningless tautology. Lenski explains: In the first place, if houtos has as its antecedent ‘the real God’ (the Father), then the statement is a tautology; John would say: ‘This real God is the real God.’ He would say it after having twice said: we know the real God and are in the real God.” (Morey, The Trinity: Evidence and Issues [World Bible Publishers, Inc., Iowa Falls, IA 1996], Part IV: The New Testament Evidence, Chapt. 17. God the Son, pp. 354-357) ”

A common objection to the most obvious understanding of 1 Joh. 5:20 – where houtos refers to the last person spoken of – is to present a verse where it’s NOT possible to read the verse in such a way. If such a verse could be found, the idea is that we are then exempt from reading ANY verse in the Bible according to the ordinary pattern if we don’t really want to – and particularly John 5:20 which is the “problematic verse” that must be “solved”. Such verses are not easy to find, but 1 John 2:22 is at least one example, and voilá – this discovery is used to find legitimate reasons to override the implications of John 5:20. So instead this verse is read in such a way that it agrees with the preferred doctrine, which is “there is no way that Jesus is God”. Not due to grammatical reasons, but due to one’s own personal views (just like Dr. Robert A. Morey warns about). This is not an honest way to read the Bible, and it’s nothing but cherry-picking. 

On top of this, there is a major difference between the two verses. Houtos must not refer to the last person spoken about but then this must be made clear in the context! To clarify who is the Antichrist, John adds the information (in caps below) that he who denies the Father and the Son is the Antichrist. No matter what language we speak, we would normally want listeners/readers to understand what we say, and if there is a chance that someone might misunderstand us we would rather want to express ourselves in such a way that misunderstandings can be avoided. If we want to deviate from the most common way to use houtos, extra clarification is needed. 

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He [houtos] is antichrist, THAT DENIETH THE FATHER AND THE SON.

Jesus is covered in GLORY and yet the Bible says God doesn’t share his glory with anyone…ljus

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.

Also Jesus is called true God and Lord

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the TRUE GOD, and eternal life. (more literally:…he is the true God)

Jude 4:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our ONLY Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (ESV)

Rom. 9:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed GOD. Amen. (NKJV)

Hebr. 1:8 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.9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

John. 20:27 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.

Lord of Lords – there is only ONE – and yet both God the Father and Jesus Christ are called Lord of Lords

Other lords but God are mentioned in the Bible (like 26:13) and it’s not uncommon for a servant to call his master “lord”, but the Bible also says there is one particular LORD who is LORD OF LORDS, and he ALONE is LORD.

Isaiah 37:20 Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord, even thou ONLY.

Deuteronomy 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:

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

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;16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Revelation 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.

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.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.

Matt. 22:42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

God the Father is the ONLY savior, and Jesus Christ as well, and both created the earth – ALONE

Creation

Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.

Titus. 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our SAVIOUR Jesus Christ;14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

According to John 1:3 and Col. 1:16-17 Jesus made all things, and absolutely NOTHING was before him. So God the Father could not have been before him since he is definitely something! Is God a liar?

Col. 1:16 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.

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:

There is only ONE God hat we shall worship, and JESUS allowed himself to be worshiped

It would have been so easy to quench the idea that Jesus is not God by showing Jesus correcting those who worshiped him, but not once did he do that. 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.”

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.