BY THESE TRUE WORDS ALL SHALL BE JUDGED OF GOD![]()
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These are not my words, I am simply a messenger, ![]()
but I am -- Just sayin what He is sayin, argue with Him if you wish!![]()
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27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.![]()
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28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;![]()
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29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,![]()
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30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,![]()
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31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:![]()
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32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:27-32.
UNDERSTANDING TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCE![]()
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Words demanding meditation are herein penned by the wise man, Solomon. “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” Ecc. 9:11.![]()
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Generalizations in this world must not be depended upon as being ultimately, always true. For instance, it is a given generalization that if one works hard and consistently, he will achieve success. Another, is that if one prepares himself through higher, and specialized education, the door of a desired career will open to him. However, those things alone often fail as demonstrated by the practical experience of life focused upon by Solomon, and repeatedly verified by modern life situations.![]()
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One will wonder at some point in life just why does a certain person succeed and others fail when those who fail seem better prepared? Solomon’s conclusion was that it is all “time and chance.” Often just being in the right place at the right time is to realize fulfillment by the randomness of chance. His viewpoint was that these things were, not totally, but definitely involved in every instance in which men are propelled above their fellows. The race may not belong to the swift, but undoubtedly, one must be somewhat swift to enter the race. The battle may not belong to the strong, but the weak should not be engaged in the battle, etc. But, above personal preparations, there are still the factors of time and chance. How disappointing it is when time and chance favors others, crushing expectations designed upon preparation.![]()
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However, there is a realm wherein time and chance do not rule or dash expectations. It is the spiritual realm. Salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ has been procured, and it is within the reach of all men. Moreover, those who prepare for the Christian race definitely win. They win spiritual battles, feast on the bread of life, are enriched beyond explanation in human terms. Understanding and favor will not elude them. The life of faith that begins with repentance from sins, and placing faith the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal Savior leads one ever onward from pinnacle to pinnacle of blessings. ![]()
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Moreover, the expectation that hope instills in the heart will never slip or fade into disappointment. Now that is a race to run, a battle to fight, bread to eat, understanding to gain, favor to realize. In Christ, the time is now; the chance is extended to whosoever will. To serve God legitimately according to His Word is a race those so doing will definitely, ultimately win!
THE FAMILY OF GOD SHOULD IT BE RE-THOUGHT?![]()
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Modern evangelistic movements are indeed just that: modern. They do not reconcile with the consistent pattern in the New Testament. There, the fullness of the Great Commission is always in play. Folks who professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior were baptized, and they continued with the disciples in worship and leaning. The bible has not changed, but people have. With the explosion of different types of churches in the last 500 years, pressure is created to acknowledge that they have Christian standing, even if one sees the other as heretical. So the common denominator of acknowledgement of one another is reduced from biblical teachings to the ages-long “born from above” experience: simply one acknowledging Jesus as the Christ and a personal Savior; hence, the tenets of modern evangelism.![]()
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The identity of the common denominator of acknowledgement has been given a name; it is called “The Family of God.” This name is evoked from the reasoning of man as he seeks to make spiritual and physical relationships parallel. One postulates that if the initial spiritual experience with God is called a new birth, then it must follow that one is born into a family – the family of God. Inasmuch as spiritual salvation is universally offered to all who repent of sin and trust the Lord Jesus, then it must follow that there is a family that is different to the Lord’s church which is not universal, but must be attained through scriptural baptism, and ensuing fellowship. ![]()
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Certainly, the invention of the category sounds good. It provides a modicum of acceptance to what is going on, even if foreign to the scriptures, and eases the need for New Testament church members to know who they are and why they are that.![]()
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But what is the case of this subject in the strictest biblical sense? A survey of the scriptures does not find such a category. However, there is one mention of the family of God, by definition. Moreover it falls from the lips of Jesus, Himself. Note Mark 3:31-35; “ There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”![]()
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There it is! Those Jesus identified as family were doing more than simply acknowledging Him. They were actively learning of Him in a heaven-sanctioned assembly. Let others proceed as they may, I want to do the will of God as much as I possibly can, as He stated it.![]()
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I think that is what the true family of God is about.