Good question. What about Hebrews 11? Consider this, A person should receive that honor that is due him as long as it's within the realm of Godliness. For instance, "so and so is a great man of faith", instead of, "So and so can really perform miracles". Examine Elijah and Elisha. They received credit for their good works, but they refused to take the glory away from God. It's one thing to accept a compliment. It's quite another to expect it. Chew, but don't swallow.
__________________ Jeremiah chapter 4 and verse 21 KJV
How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
1 Cor. chapter 14 and verse 8 KJV
8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Joel chapter 2 and verse 1
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
Where does the Bible say that, anyway? All I see, on the topic, is this:
Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Mark 3:29
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
Mark 3:29
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
I'm aware of the verses. When I replied, I was giving a topical explanation. Of all the exegetes I've heard talk about this, I believe The Message is pretty close:
There's nothing done or said that can't be forgiven. But if you deliberately persist in your slanders against God's Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives. If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you're sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.
I've heard another exegete say that this is also in reference to calling something evil that is holy. Rejecting Him, denying Him.
I think the lead-in verse, (v30 is our clue)
30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
The Pharisees are the audience. They claim to be God's people, yet they are using their laws to repudiate, deny and reject God's son, the operation of the Spirit, etc... The context helps.
So many glory seekers out there but I think its time we start giving back the glory to Him who alone is worthy of it. To Him who sits upon the throne and to Him be all the glory the power and dominion in the church, both now and forever more!
Does God have any praise to bestow on His creatures, sometimes? I'd think He'd be pleased with people when they do good. And how about people giving each other some praise, now and then? Nothing wrong with complimenting each other over a job well done, is there?
Glory-seeking, though, is a problem, yes. It's often a symptom of low self-esteem, I think. An inferiority complex, maybe as a result of constantly being told you can't be good enough, your righteousness is filthy rags, you deserve eternal torture, that sort of thing.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Good question. What about Hebrews 11? Consider this, A person should receive that honor that is due him as long as it's within the realm of Godliness. For instance, "so and so is a great man of faith", instead of, "So and so can really perform miracles". Examine Elijah and Elisha. They received credit for their good works, but they refused to take the glory away from God. It's one thing to accept a compliment. It's quite another to expect it. Chew, but don't swallow.
Yeah, I've seen this treatment in certain churches where their "men of God" are glorified beyond mutual respect.
I have heard similar messages and the point was : We as Christians should potray Gods glory! But when the image (dress standards fasting prayer) we potray becomes the focal point of a certain actions gets certain results type mentality we are perverting the true image!
oh, ok is that why he told all the sinners he forgave to "go and sin no more"?
however, I like the way you said it too!
He certainly said that. But highlighting part of the story doesn't eclipse the entirety of the story. Keeping from sinning was not his ultimate goal. Giving life was. When we have life, we have the ability to avoid living like dead people.
Jesus made it clear he didn't forgive so people could take advantage of his mercy and do it again. It also gives the person being forgiven (eg. John 8) the feeling that they truly have a clean slate.
THis is what moralists do though. They focus on the "Quit Sinning" and that is the sum total of what being saved is about. What a drag!
Linear Mode
