By: Undre Griggs, Jr. It is one of those questions we likely know the answer to, yet it is always good to confirm. This is especially true when we come across a passage that appears to contradict another. As we continue to study the word of God this is bound to happen at least once; though it should not be a point of concern. When we find what appears to be a contradiction, we first need to understand the word of God is inerrant and without error. We then need to study and reflect on our conclusions to see where we may have strayed from God’s word. 1 John 5:16 (ESV): If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. When reading 1 John 5:16, it appears the Apostle John is saying there are some sins that do not lead to death. If this was the case, that would mean John does not agree with the Apostle Paul who said the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Paul did not limit or exclude sin in any way; his statement is laying out the consequences of all sin. In similar fashion, Paul says that all have sinned and as a result of our sin we have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Separation from God’s glory for eternity is what spiritual death is and Paul states it is the result of sin. We also know God told Adam and Eve if they transgressed by disobeying Him and eating of the tree of knowledge, they would “surely die” (Genesis 3:3). If the wages of sin is confirmed throughout Scripture as death, then what is John talking about? There are many differing opinions on this topic, but with certainty he is not saying some sins do not cause a Spiritual death. The consensus is John is talking about a physical death. The differing opinions is in regard to which type of event caused the physical death. For example, under the Mosaic Law there were sins like murder that were punishable by execution (Numbers 35:30). Numbers 35:30 (ESV): Suppose a person kills someone. Then that person must be put to death as a murderer. But do it only when there are witnesses who can tell what happened. Do not put anyone to death if only one witness tells what happened. Others believe it could be speaking on sins that cause fatal diseases for the sinner. 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 (ESV): For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. Whether the physical death was brought by disease or the government; John is not contradicting Paul by saying some sins do not cause Spiritual damnation. Let us be mindful and diligent in our studies as we continue to follow the will of God.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. The body of Christ is expected to be honest with each other because of the benefits the truth provides. When we tell each other the truth, it provides an opportunity to defend or correct an action. Ephesians 4:25 (NIV): Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Speaking the truth in love also motivates us to make sure we are accurate in our questions and critiques. When we are silent and avoid the truth, the process of correction is nullified. Those who would make a change for a better if provided the opportunity are never afforded one. The preparation we would undertake to make sure everything we said was accurate is also voided. As one body, it is our responsibility to make sure we are all right with God. It is our responsibility to love others more than we love ourselves, and that often means leaving our comfort zone. There is a misconception that telling people what they need to hear is worse than accepting someone no matter the issue. When we accept someone no matter the issue, we are essentially saying we don’t believe they have the potential to be better. We believe they are going to hear our words, get offended and the only thing that will change is their perception of us. Even if that is the case, if we love others more than we love ourselves we will be willing to put our relationship on the line for their wellbeing. That was a problem the church in Corinth was unwilling to face. The Apostle Paul was bewildered by the fact the church allowed a member to be married to his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1) without anyone correcting him. The problem with an unwillingness to correct each other is we are allowing the only opportunity for correction to be the Judgement Day, and by then it will be too late. 1 Timothy 1:5 (ESV): The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. When we love each other the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to do anything to save them from destruction. The Apostle Paul describes it as keeping a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. When we know something that can help someone and we don’t offer to help them, it should weigh on us. It should be difficult for us to keep a good conscience knowing what awaits the unfaithful. The Bible says it is a sin when we know right and do not make an effort to live righteously (James 4:17). With this being the case, how can we keep a pure heart if we are sinning when we are not honest with each other? A pure heart is one that is aligned with Christ, walking the path of righteousness in truth and Spirit. Our faith and hope is Jesus Christ and His return for us. If we are sincere in our faith, we will proclaim the Gospel until his return; and that requires us to honest and truthful with each other.
Proverbs is full of practical insight and divine wisdom that can be used to better one’s life. On the practical side, it teaches us how to sustain and repair relationships; as well as things like work ethic and prosperity. In relation to divine wisdom, we can learn about love, the majesty of God and the benefits of being a believer versus a nonbeliever. When learning about unbelievers, we often find ourselves learning about how difficult it is for evil people to understand God and His justice. Proverbs 28:5 (ESV): Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. There are multiple reasons why evil people are ineffective when it comes to understanding and obeying God. The Bible speaks on the hardening of the heart that takes place when one lives a life of willful sin. This hardening of the heart makes it difficult for someone to believe the truth, even when the truth is the only available option. Liken it to the Pharaoh when Moses and Aaron told him God wanted him to let His people go (Exodus 9:1). To the average person, we probably find it hard to comprehend why anyone would continue to disobey the will of God when His justice is so absolute. For someone to need ten plagues and the destruction of most of his army to understand God’s justice, it only confirms the difficulty evil people encounter. Psalms 25:14 (NIV): The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. Believers are able to understand God’s justice because they seek to understand Him and God rewards their diligence. 1 Corinthians 2:11 says; “no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God”. It is the Holy Spirit of God that inspired the creation of the Bible by the hands of men. Without the Bible we would not know or understand nearly as much as we do. Jesus Christ told His disciples that the Spirit of Truth will guide them into all the truth, “for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13). Unfortunately, evil people who willfully sin will begin to lose their ability to discern right and wrong. They will lose their ability to see the light and understand the truth. As Isaiah said, God will give them over to their evil desires by blinding their eyes and hardening their hearts (Isaiah 44:18). Let us be diligent in our studies to make sure we understand God and His will.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. When we find ourselves suffering, we may discover ourselves questioning God’s plan. This is especially true when we feel we have been suffering for an extended period of time. I think we all understand that bad things happen to good people, but we feel it should pass at some point. When the time of what we consider “reasonable” expires, we can grow impatient and wonder why is this happening. We may wonder if God is pleased with us, or if He is trying to provoke a change in our life; but sometimes suffering comes by chance as it “rains on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). Sometimes suffering come by way of the people we associate with and the situations we put ourselves in; and yes suffering can come because God is trying to get our attention. 1 Peter 4:19 (ESV): Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. Even though we may find ourselves suffering while here on earth, we should find comfort if our soul is right with the Lord. The faithful understand in a world full of sin that suffering is a part of life. While peace and happiness on earth is promised to no one, it is promised to those who are faithful until death (Revelations 2:10). 1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV): Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. The Apostle Peter encourages the church by first making sure the church understood that trials are going to come. Jesus Christ himself said the world will hate His followers because the world hated Him first (John 15:8). Peter’s response to suffering is the same response we find throughout Scripture - focus on the eternal reward. It is like any lesson we face; we will not remember the journey when we attain the reward. We tell our children to eat their vegetables first so they can get a dessert. While they are focusing on the vegetables, they are unable to understand and appreciate the reward waiting for them. Sometimes, our children will handle the trial so poorly, they put their reward at risk. It is important we keep in mind our reaction to the various trials we face. Our reaction will not affect whether or not we have the trial, it can only affect whether or not we get our reward. Just like our children’s reaction doesn’t affect whether they will have to eat the vegetables, it only affects whether they get the dessert. Let us be mindful and focus on the reward, understanding that suffering for Christ’s sake is a badge of honor we should feel privileged to partake in.
There is something liberating about knowing as humans we are going to make mistakes. We are going to make mistakes we wish no one witnessed; some mistakes feel so bad we are going to think they are unforgivable, but is that the case? While we may know the answer is “all of sins can be forgiven”, do we truly believe it? Understanding the sacrifice of Christ can make Christians feel unworthy anytime we fall short, but does God share that feeling? Galatians 6:1-3 (ESV): Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. In his letter to the church of Galatia, the Apostle Paul encourages Christians to combat temptation by bearing one another’s burdens. Even if a Christian catches someone in the act of falling into temptation, they are still to treat their brethren with a spirit of gentleness. As difficult as this can seem in the heat of the moment, Christians are to take a moment to consider how they would want to be treated if they were caught in a temptation. There is the temptation to speak as though another’s burden is “heavier” than our own, but Paul tells us we deceive ourselves if we believe that. As Jesus stated, we are to treat others as we want to be treated (Luke 6:31). Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. There is not a person able to boast a lifestyle that earns them God’s favor. By faith and obedience we are offered God’s grace, but that is not be confused with us earning salvation. If God did not forgive our smallest sin, we would not be able to join Him in heaven (Romans 6:23). It is a human trait that has someone believe one sin is larger than another’s. In a world where everyone sins, some are compelled to make others feel their sins are more egregious. Jesus challenges this mindset with the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee knew of God’s greatness and lived a life many would believe is pleasing to God; while the Tax Collector knew of God’s greatness and lived a life many would see as an abomination to the Lord. Jesus said the Tax Collector was the one that went home justified, not because he lived a “better life”; but because he was humble and those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Let us be humble and gentle with our brethren so we may be pleasing and exalted by God.
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Dean Road
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