Quote:
Originally Posted by NotforSale
The point is, she lied. The same goes for a man denying the Lord that doesn't mean it (a lie). And, the lie accomplishes the same thing in both events; people were protected from the brutality of evil doers because a lie was used to manipulate them.
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I see your point. I am still contemplating on where I stand on this issue. Humans want to polarize everything...it's either black or white. Day or night. Sweet or sour. Right or left.
I believe that we have a merciful God who knows just how much we can stand. Why was Peter crucified upside down? (So it is said) Paul beheaded, and James, the brother of John was killed with the sword. Yet it is believed that John was the only Apostle to not die a violent death.
I am reminded that the events in our life are God ordained (for those who walk in faith). Whatever happens to us, happens for a reason, that either for our own spiritual growth or to give God glory.
Perhaps Stephen did not feel the rocks that were hurled at him to his death?
Perhaps Paul's spirit was called out of his body up to the heavens before the blade came down on his neck? I don't know. But I have got to believe that our merciful God has some sort of protecting hand either from the pain or from the event itself.
However, most of the prophets in the Bible were killed, tortured, humiliated etc. What makes American Christians think that we are so special that we will not be martyred for the sake of Christ?
Wouldn't lying to get out of it be a way to avoid taking a stand for the belief that Jesus is Lord?
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