Bible Study for 8/2/2014
Book Of Romans Chapter 14 ( DOUBTFUL THINGS) Bible Study
[Note to Blog Reader's: Expositor Notes in Bold Italic Font]
We are not to Judge a man's heart and motives, if we do, we will be subjected for destruction, we are to Judge righteous Judgments. Which would be like cursing and swearing, correcting those who chooses to drink any type of Alcohol, smoking, using drugs to destroy self, taking part in a negative parties, gambling, that is a start of what we are to Judge, which is all bad fruit. The Judging that is mentioned in this study, is referring to the heart. There are some people out in the world who is afraid of God and will not take the time to Pray to God. If I was them, I would be afraid of Satan, he is the one who will destroy the body and soul. God Saves all those who comes to Him in repentance and accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savoir. Jesus Christ is the way that leads to Life at the Cross. I am very Thankful to know that I am Heaven bound and will be in Heaven for all Eternity, Glory to God. God maid a promiss to those who calls upon the name of the Lord, here, I will show you in scripture, KJV Romans 10:13 For whosoever (anyone, anywhere) shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be Saved (speaks of the sinner coming to Christ, but can refer to any Believer and with whatever need; the Cross is the means by which all of this is done).
Whenever you repent of your sins, you must turn away from it, otherwise, your repentance is bogus and many of your prayers, may not get answered.
Romans 14:1-23 (KJV)
1 Him who is weak in the faith receive ye (refers to the Believer not understanding the Cross as he should), but not to doubtful disputations (is directed toward the strong Believers and those “weak in the Faith”; it means that the strong, who welcome those of weak Faith into the fellowship of the Church, are to do so unreservedly and not with the purpose of judging and attempting to rule their minds). 2 For one believes that he may eat all things (pertains to the strength of one’s Faith, based on a proper understanding of what Jesus did for us at the Cross): another, who is weak, eats herbs (this latter group doesn’t properly understand the Finished Work of Calvary, and think that eating or not eating certain things gauge their Sanctification and Holiness, etc.). 3 Let not him who eats despise him who eats not (speaks of the spirit of spiritual superiority); and let not him which eats not judge him who eats (is the same thing in reverse; spiritual superiority or spiritual pride is no respecter of persons; it can fasten itself to either group with equal tenacity): for God has received him (speaks of the individuals in either case, strong or weak). 4 Who are you who judges another man’s servant? (This actually says, “As for you, who are you to judge God’s Servant?”) to his own master he stands or falls (the Lord Alone is to be the judge). Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand (has reference to the fact that God Alone can hold us up, and He is able to do so; the idea is that brow beating an individual will never help the person!). 5 One man esteems one day above another (is actually referring back to the Jewish Sabbaths): another esteems every day alike (subject every day to scrutiny; this is the proper course). Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind (the Apostle is not speaking of things here that are morally wrong and which the Word of God has already condemned; he is speaking of Rituals only). 6 He who regards the day, regards it unto the Lord (whatever Ritual someone may be attempting to keep, he is supposed to be doing it unto the Lord, and not for some personal satisfaction); and he who regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it (the interests of the Lord should be in view in either case). He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks (his Faith is sufficient and whatever the food might be is of no consequence); and he who eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks (has the same end in view, or at least it should, to please the Lord). 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself (no Christian is his own end in life; what is always present in his mind as a rule of his conduct is the will and interest of his Lord). 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord (everything in our lives is to be, “unto the Lord”): whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s (reflects the Lord having total control over our lives and deaths, which we must desire He use to the fullest). 9 For to this end (refers to the fact of Christ’s absolute ownership of the Believer, spirit, soul, and body) Christ both died, and rose, and revived (a price was paid for us of such magnitude that it absolutely defies description), that He might be Lord both of the dead and living (refers to the Lordship of Christ over all Saints, whether alive or having passed on). 10 But why do you judge your brother? (Is any Believer qualified to judge another Believer? “Your Brother” is another reason for not judging. It is inconsistent with the recognition of the Brotherhood of Believers.) or why do you set at nought your brother? (There is only one reason for refusing fellowship, and that reason is unconfessed, unrepentant, habitual sin in a person’s life [I Cor., Chpt. 5].) for we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (we will be judged there, not for our sins, those having been handled at the Cross, but as it regards our stewardship and our motives, etc.; gain or loss of reward will be the result). 11 For it is written (Isa. 45:23), As I live, says the Lord (God cannot die), every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God (to make a confession of God’s Honor, and as well, to praise Him). 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (each is responsible, meaning that the blame cannot be shifted elsewhere).
RESPONSIBILITY
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more (can be translated, “let us no longer have the habit of criticizing one another”): but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way (tells us what is, in fact, permissible to judge; as Believers, we are to judge every Brother and Sister and situation which surrounds them, irrespective what it might be, as to how we can help them, instead of harming them). 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus (means that this declaration is of the Lord, not merely of Paul’s reasoning power), that there is nothing unclean of itself (speaks of ceremonial impurity, not of actual immorality; in the manner in which everything was originally created by the Lord and intended to be used, there is nothing unclean): but to him who esteems any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean (is this way because of Faith placed in things other than the Cross). 15 But if your brother be grieved with your meat, now walkest thou not charitably (do not take that as an occasion to be uncharitable toward him). Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died (our actions should always be motivated by the fact that Jesus died for this person, and this person belongs to Christ; we should treat him accordingly!). 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of (our “good” must be exercised with a gracious spirit, always considering others): 17 For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink (actually refers to rules, regulations, ceremonies, or rituals, etc.); but Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit (a right spirit, which refers to a spirit that is controlled by the Holy Spirit, will always produce Righteousness, Peace, and Joy, not argument, etc.). 18 For he who in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God (Righteousness, Peace, and Joy are acceptable to the Lord; but not contention, quarreling, and fighting in the Church), and approved of men (Righteousness, Peace, and Joy alone will bring men together). 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for Peace (following that which is of God, and not that devised by men), and things wherewith one may edify another (refers to that which is produced by the Holy Spirit, and not by man). 20 For meat destroy not the Work of God (let’s not fight over incidental things, which are what most Church fights are all about). All things indeed are pure (refers to that which is created by God, and used for its intended purpose); but it is evil for that man who eats with offence (refers to the man who is “weak in Faith”). 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak (the idea is that love is to be the ruling guide, not our freedom of liberties). 22 Have you faith? (This is addressed to the strong.) have it to yourself before God (don’t run the risk of injuring a Brother’s conscience merely for the sake of exercising in a special way the spiritual freedom we have the happiness to possess). Happy is he who condemns not himself in that thing which he allows (refers to this being joy enough, without us taking our liberty further and, thereby, hindering a weaker Brother or Sister). 23 And he who doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith (Faith, that is proper Faith, is the criteria for all things): for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (the type of Faith addressed here is Faith in “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”; any other type of faith is “sin”).
1 Corinthians 5:1-13 (KJV)
MORAL STANDARDS
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you (fornication speaks of all types of immorality; it seemed to have been more widespread than just a case or two), and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles (meaning this type was not common among the Gentiles), that one should have his father’s wife (refers to the man’s step-mother; it also seems the Father was alive [II Cor. 7:12]). 2 And you are puffed up (it seems that some were attempting to say such was allowed under the guise of Christian liberty), and have not rather mourned (presents that which should have been the norm, but seemingly was not), that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you (the idea is the individual repent, thereby ceasing such activity or be disfellowshiped).
JUDGMENT OF SIN
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit (means that even though he is not present personally in Corinth, the direction he will now give is still to be taken just as seriously as if he were there personally), have judged al ready, as though I were present, concerning him who has so done this deed. (Does not, as some think, contradict Jesus’ instructions to not judge [Mat. 7:1-5]. Paul is judging an action here, as all Believers are called upon to do, i.e., “Fruit” [Mat. 7:15-20].) 4 In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (refers to Christ as the Head of the Church), when you are gathered together (presents the authority of the local Church), and my spirit (refers to Paul being there in spirit, even though he could not be there in the flesh), with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. (The authority is in the “Name,” and the “Power” is in the Person of Christ. This recognizes Him totally as the Head of the Church.) 5 To deliver such an one (the one committing the sin of incest) unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh (it refers to ceasing all prayer for such an individual, and can be done by the local Body, providing the Church is correct in its position; God will no more honor wrong committed by the Church than He will by an individual), that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (it is hoped that such action will cause the person to repent).
LEAVEN
6 Your glorying is not good (these people had taken liberty into license). Do you not know that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (Leaven is figurative of such that is minuscule in quantity, but extremely pervasive in its penetrating force.) 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven (spoken in Old Covenant terminology, but with the same meaning carried over in the hearts and lives of New Testament Believers), that you may be a new lump (start acting like what you are, “a new creation”), as you are unleavened (speaks of the position that one has in Christ; that is our “standing”; it is the business of the Spirit to bring our “state” up to our “standing”). For even Christ our Passover is Sacrificed for us (the Believer can have victory over all sin by placing his Faith exclusively in the Cross of Christ, which Sacrifice addressed all sin): 8 Therefore let us keep the feast (is meant to serve as a symbol of the Jewish Passover, when all leaven was purged from the household), not with old leaven (old sins committed before conversion), neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness (refers to the ways of the world from which the Child of God has been delivered); but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (can only be attained by one’s Faith being anchored solely in the Sacrifice of Christ).
SOCIAL RELATIONS
9 I wrote unto you in an Epistle (refers to a previous letter written to the Church of Corinth, which has been lost) not to company with fornicators (actually means, “not to be mingled up among”): 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world (places a difference between those in the world and those in the Church), or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must you needs go out of the world (refers to normal commerce and activity with those who are unsaved, which is different than those who profess Christ). 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company (Believers must not condone such immoral activity in other Christians, considering that they refuse to repent), if any man who is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner (plainly tells us that many will call themselves “Christian” or “Brother,” who practice these type of sins); with such an one no not to eat (speaks more so of the Lord’s Supper than anything else). 12 For what have I to do to judge them also who are without? (The idea is that we have no right to apply these standards to people who have not professed Christ as Saviour.) do not you judge them who are within? (As Believers, we have enough on our plate without having to call unbelievers to task. That is not our obligation.) 13 But them who are without (unsaved) God judges (so let’s leave the unredeemed to Him). Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person (If the Believer will not repent of obvious wrongdoing, and we speak of scandalous sins, then that person must be disfellowshiped).
2 Corinthians 7:12 (KJV)
12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause who had done the wrong, nor for his cause who suffered wrong (the one who was committing the sin of incest [I Cor., Chpt. 5], and his father who had been wronged, the husband of the woman in question), but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. (The entirety of the Church at Corinth needed direction.)
Matthew 7:1-5 (KJV)
JUDGING OTHERS
1 Judge not, that you be not judged (this statement by Christ harks back to Verses 25 through 34 of the previous Chapter; the idea is, God may permit poverty to test His Child, but fellow Believers are not to err, as Job’s friends did, and believe the trial to be a judgment for secret sin; as well, the word, “judging,” as used here, covers every aspect of dealing with our fellowman). 2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged (whatever motive we ascribe to others, such motive will ultimately be ascribed to us): and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again (a double emphasis is given here in order to proclaim the seriousness of the Words of our Lord; when we judge others, we are judging ourselves). 3 And why do you behold the mote that is in your brother’s eye (the Believer is not to be looking for fault or wrongdoing in the lives of fellow Believers), but consider not the beam that is in your own eye? (We have plenty in our own lives which need eliminating, without looking for faults in others. The “mote” and “beam” are contrasted! The constant judging of others portrays the fact that we are much worse off than the one we are judging.) 4 Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your eye (the seriousness of setting ourselves up as judge, jury, and executioner); and, behold, a beam is in your own eye? (Once again draws attention to the fact that the person doing the judging is in far worse spiritual condition than the one being judged.) 5 You hypocrite (aptly describes such a person), first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then you shall see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye (the very fact that we do not address ourselves, but rather others, portrays the truth that our personal situation is worse; when we properly analyze ourselves, then, and only then, can we “see clearly”; this is speaking of character assassination and not the correction of doctrine).
Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)
FALSE PROPHETS AND DECEPTIONS
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves (“beware of false prophets” is said in the sternest of measures! there will be and are false prophets, and are some of Satan’s greatest weapons). 16 You shall know them by their fruits (this is the test as given by Christ as it regards identification of false prophets and false apostles). Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (It is impossible for false doctrine, generated by false prophets, to bring forth good fruit.) 17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit (the good fruit is Christlikeness, while the evil fruit is self-likeness). 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit (the “good tree” is the Cross, while the “corrupt tree” pertains to all of that which is other than the Cross). 19 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire (Judgment will ultimately come on all so-called gospel, other than the Cross [Rom. 1:18]). 20 Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them (the acid test).
Romans 1:18 (KJV)
18 For the Wrath of God (God’s Personal Emotion with regard to sin) is revealed from Heaven (this anger originates with God) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (God must unalterably be opposed to sin), who hold the truth in unrighteousness (who refuse to recognize Who God is, and what God is);
Isaiah 45:23 (KJV)
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. (God swears “by Himself,” because He can swear by no greater peer [Heb. 6:13]. He condescends, for man’s sake, to confirm in this way Promises that are exceedingly precious. He said that His Word "shall not return." In other words, it will not be withdrawn or retracted. God's Gifts and Promises are "without Repentance" [Rom. 11:29]. "Every knee bowing" and "every tongue confessing" refers to the universal turning to God, which will take place in the coming Kingdom Age.)
Hebrews 6:13 (KJV)
13 For when God made Promise to Abraham (presents the Patriarch as the most illustrious example of those who “inherit the Promises” [Jn.8:58]), because He (God) could swear by no greater (refers to the solemnity and power of this Promise), He swore by Himself (a guarantee with resources of Heaven behind it that the Promise will be kept),
John 8:58 (KJV)
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am (in essence He said, “Before Abraham was brought into being, I was eternally existent”; He also said, “Abraham was,” “I am”).
1 Him who is weak in the faith receive ye (refers to the Believer not understanding the Cross as he should), but not to doubtful disputations (is directed toward the strong Believers and those “weak in the Faith”; it means that the strong, who welcome those of weak Faith into the fellowship of the Church, are to do so unreservedly and not with the purpose of judging and attempting to rule their minds). 2 For one believes that he may eat all things (pertains to the strength of one’s Faith, based on a proper understanding of what Jesus did for us at the Cross): another, who is weak, eats herbs (this latter group doesn’t properly understand the Finished Work of Calvary, and think that eating or not eating certain things gauge their Sanctification and Holiness, etc.). 3 Let not him who eats despise him who eats not (speaks of the spirit of spiritual superiority); and let not him which eats not judge him who eats (is the same thing in reverse; spiritual superiority or spiritual pride is no respecter of persons; it can fasten itself to either group with equal tenacity): for God has received him (speaks of the individuals in either case, strong or weak). 4 Who are you who judges another man’s servant? (This actually says, “As for you, who are you to judge God’s Servant?”) to his own master he stands or falls (the Lord Alone is to be the judge). Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand (has reference to the fact that God Alone can hold us up, and He is able to do so; the idea is that brow beating an individual will never help the person!). 5 One man esteems one day above another (is actually referring back to the Jewish Sabbaths): another esteems every day alike (subject every day to scrutiny; this is the proper course). Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind (the Apostle is not speaking of things here that are morally wrong and which the Word of God has already condemned; he is speaking of Rituals only). 6 He who regards the day, regards it unto the Lord (whatever Ritual someone may be attempting to keep, he is supposed to be doing it unto the Lord, and not for some personal satisfaction); and he who regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it (the interests of the Lord should be in view in either case). He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks (his Faith is sufficient and whatever the food might be is of no consequence); and he who eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks (has the same end in view, or at least it should, to please the Lord). 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself (no Christian is his own end in life; what is always present in his mind as a rule of his conduct is the will and interest of his Lord). 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord (everything in our lives is to be, “unto the Lord”): whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s (reflects the Lord having total control over our lives and deaths, which we must desire He use to the fullest). 9 For to this end (refers to the fact of Christ’s absolute ownership of the Believer, spirit, soul, and body) Christ both died, and rose, and revived (a price was paid for us of such magnitude that it absolutely defies description), that He might be Lord both of the dead and living (refers to the Lordship of Christ over all Saints, whether alive or having passed on). 10 But why do you judge your brother? (Is any Believer qualified to judge another Believer? “Your Brother” is another reason for not judging. It is inconsistent with the recognition of the Brotherhood of Believers.) or why do you set at nought your brother? (There is only one reason for refusing fellowship, and that reason is unconfessed, unrepentant, habitual sin in a person’s life [I Cor., Chpt. 5].) for we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (we will be judged there, not for our sins, those having been handled at the Cross, but as it regards our stewardship and our motives, etc.; gain or loss of reward will be the result). 11 For it is written (Isa. 45:23), As I live, says the Lord (God cannot die), every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God (to make a confession of God’s Honor, and as well, to praise Him). 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (each is responsible, meaning that the blame cannot be shifted elsewhere).
RESPONSIBILITY
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more (can be translated, “let us no longer have the habit of criticizing one another”): but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way (tells us what is, in fact, permissible to judge; as Believers, we are to judge every Brother and Sister and situation which surrounds them, irrespective what it might be, as to how we can help them, instead of harming them). 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus (means that this declaration is of the Lord, not merely of Paul’s reasoning power), that there is nothing unclean of itself (speaks of ceremonial impurity, not of actual immorality; in the manner in which everything was originally created by the Lord and intended to be used, there is nothing unclean): but to him who esteems any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean (is this way because of Faith placed in things other than the Cross). 15 But if your brother be grieved with your meat, now walkest thou not charitably (do not take that as an occasion to be uncharitable toward him). Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died (our actions should always be motivated by the fact that Jesus died for this person, and this person belongs to Christ; we should treat him accordingly!). 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of (our “good” must be exercised with a gracious spirit, always considering others): 17 For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink (actually refers to rules, regulations, ceremonies, or rituals, etc.); but Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit (a right spirit, which refers to a spirit that is controlled by the Holy Spirit, will always produce Righteousness, Peace, and Joy, not argument, etc.). 18 For he who in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God (Righteousness, Peace, and Joy are acceptable to the Lord; but not contention, quarreling, and fighting in the Church), and approved of men (Righteousness, Peace, and Joy alone will bring men together). 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for Peace (following that which is of God, and not that devised by men), and things wherewith one may edify another (refers to that which is produced by the Holy Spirit, and not by man). 20 For meat destroy not the Work of God (let’s not fight over incidental things, which are what most Church fights are all about). All things indeed are pure (refers to that which is created by God, and used for its intended purpose); but it is evil for that man who eats with offence (refers to the man who is “weak in Faith”). 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak (the idea is that love is to be the ruling guide, not our freedom of liberties). 22 Have you faith? (This is addressed to the strong.) have it to yourself before God (don’t run the risk of injuring a Brother’s conscience merely for the sake of exercising in a special way the spiritual freedom we have the happiness to possess). Happy is he who condemns not himself in that thing which he allows (refers to this being joy enough, without us taking our liberty further and, thereby, hindering a weaker Brother or Sister). 23 And he who doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith (Faith, that is proper Faith, is the criteria for all things): for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (the type of Faith addressed here is Faith in “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”; any other type of faith is “sin”).
1 Corinthians 5:1-13 (KJV)
MORAL STANDARDS
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you (fornication speaks of all types of immorality; it seemed to have been more widespread than just a case or two), and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles (meaning this type was not common among the Gentiles), that one should have his father’s wife (refers to the man’s step-mother; it also seems the Father was alive [II Cor. 7:12]). 2 And you are puffed up (it seems that some were attempting to say such was allowed under the guise of Christian liberty), and have not rather mourned (presents that which should have been the norm, but seemingly was not), that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you (the idea is the individual repent, thereby ceasing such activity or be disfellowshiped).
JUDGMENT OF SIN
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit (means that even though he is not present personally in Corinth, the direction he will now give is still to be taken just as seriously as if he were there personally), have judged al ready, as though I were present, concerning him who has so done this deed. (Does not, as some think, contradict Jesus’ instructions to not judge [Mat. 7:1-5]. Paul is judging an action here, as all Believers are called upon to do, i.e., “Fruit” [Mat. 7:15-20].) 4 In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (refers to Christ as the Head of the Church), when you are gathered together (presents the authority of the local Church), and my spirit (refers to Paul being there in spirit, even though he could not be there in the flesh), with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. (The authority is in the “Name,” and the “Power” is in the Person of Christ. This recognizes Him totally as the Head of the Church.) 5 To deliver such an one (the one committing the sin of incest) unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh (it refers to ceasing all prayer for such an individual, and can be done by the local Body, providing the Church is correct in its position; God will no more honor wrong committed by the Church than He will by an individual), that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (it is hoped that such action will cause the person to repent).
LEAVEN
6 Your glorying is not good (these people had taken liberty into license). Do you not know that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (Leaven is figurative of such that is minuscule in quantity, but extremely pervasive in its penetrating force.) 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven (spoken in Old Covenant terminology, but with the same meaning carried over in the hearts and lives of New Testament Believers), that you may be a new lump (start acting like what you are, “a new creation”), as you are unleavened (speaks of the position that one has in Christ; that is our “standing”; it is the business of the Spirit to bring our “state” up to our “standing”). For even Christ our Passover is Sacrificed for us (the Believer can have victory over all sin by placing his Faith exclusively in the Cross of Christ, which Sacrifice addressed all sin): 8 Therefore let us keep the feast (is meant to serve as a symbol of the Jewish Passover, when all leaven was purged from the household), not with old leaven (old sins committed before conversion), neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness (refers to the ways of the world from which the Child of God has been delivered); but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (can only be attained by one’s Faith being anchored solely in the Sacrifice of Christ).
SOCIAL RELATIONS
9 I wrote unto you in an Epistle (refers to a previous letter written to the Church of Corinth, which has been lost) not to company with fornicators (actually means, “not to be mingled up among”): 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world (places a difference between those in the world and those in the Church), or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must you needs go out of the world (refers to normal commerce and activity with those who are unsaved, which is different than those who profess Christ). 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company (Believers must not condone such immoral activity in other Christians, considering that they refuse to repent), if any man who is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner (plainly tells us that many will call themselves “Christian” or “Brother,” who practice these type of sins); with such an one no not to eat (speaks more so of the Lord’s Supper than anything else). 12 For what have I to do to judge them also who are without? (The idea is that we have no right to apply these standards to people who have not professed Christ as Saviour.) do not you judge them who are within? (As Believers, we have enough on our plate without having to call unbelievers to task. That is not our obligation.) 13 But them who are without (unsaved) God judges (so let’s leave the unredeemed to Him). Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person (If the Believer will not repent of obvious wrongdoing, and we speak of scandalous sins, then that person must be disfellowshiped).
2 Corinthians 7:12 (KJV)
12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause who had done the wrong, nor for his cause who suffered wrong (the one who was committing the sin of incest [I Cor., Chpt. 5], and his father who had been wronged, the husband of the woman in question), but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. (The entirety of the Church at Corinth needed direction.)
Matthew 7:1-5 (KJV)
JUDGING OTHERS
1 Judge not, that you be not judged (this statement by Christ harks back to Verses 25 through 34 of the previous Chapter; the idea is, God may permit poverty to test His Child, but fellow Believers are not to err, as Job’s friends did, and believe the trial to be a judgment for secret sin; as well, the word, “judging,” as used here, covers every aspect of dealing with our fellowman). 2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged (whatever motive we ascribe to others, such motive will ultimately be ascribed to us): and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again (a double emphasis is given here in order to proclaim the seriousness of the Words of our Lord; when we judge others, we are judging ourselves). 3 And why do you behold the mote that is in your brother’s eye (the Believer is not to be looking for fault or wrongdoing in the lives of fellow Believers), but consider not the beam that is in your own eye? (We have plenty in our own lives which need eliminating, without looking for faults in others. The “mote” and “beam” are contrasted! The constant judging of others portrays the fact that we are much worse off than the one we are judging.) 4 Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your eye (the seriousness of setting ourselves up as judge, jury, and executioner); and, behold, a beam is in your own eye? (Once again draws attention to the fact that the person doing the judging is in far worse spiritual condition than the one being judged.) 5 You hypocrite (aptly describes such a person), first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then you shall see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye (the very fact that we do not address ourselves, but rather others, portrays the truth that our personal situation is worse; when we properly analyze ourselves, then, and only then, can we “see clearly”; this is speaking of character assassination and not the correction of doctrine).
Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)
FALSE PROPHETS AND DECEPTIONS
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves (“beware of false prophets” is said in the sternest of measures! there will be and are false prophets, and are some of Satan’s greatest weapons). 16 You shall know them by their fruits (this is the test as given by Christ as it regards identification of false prophets and false apostles). Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (It is impossible for false doctrine, generated by false prophets, to bring forth good fruit.) 17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit (the good fruit is Christlikeness, while the evil fruit is self-likeness). 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit (the “good tree” is the Cross, while the “corrupt tree” pertains to all of that which is other than the Cross). 19 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire (Judgment will ultimately come on all so-called gospel, other than the Cross [Rom. 1:18]). 20 Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them (the acid test).
Romans 1:18 (KJV)
18 For the Wrath of God (God’s Personal Emotion with regard to sin) is revealed from Heaven (this anger originates with God) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (God must unalterably be opposed to sin), who hold the truth in unrighteousness (who refuse to recognize Who God is, and what God is);
Isaiah 45:23 (KJV)
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. (God swears “by Himself,” because He can swear by no greater peer [Heb. 6:13]. He condescends, for man’s sake, to confirm in this way Promises that are exceedingly precious. He said that His Word "shall not return." In other words, it will not be withdrawn or retracted. God's Gifts and Promises are "without Repentance" [Rom. 11:29]. "Every knee bowing" and "every tongue confessing" refers to the universal turning to God, which will take place in the coming Kingdom Age.)
Hebrews 6:13 (KJV)
13 For when God made Promise to Abraham (presents the Patriarch as the most illustrious example of those who “inherit the Promises” [Jn.8:58]), because He (God) could swear by no greater (refers to the solemnity and power of this Promise), He swore by Himself (a guarantee with resources of Heaven behind it that the Promise will be kept),
John 8:58 (KJV)
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am (in essence He said, “Before Abraham was brought into being, I was eternally existent”; He also said, “Abraham was,” “I am”).
If you have false faith in God, it then is sin. If you want your Prayers answered, you must of Godly Faith and God will answer and come to your rescue, in the times of trouble. We are Saved by Faith in Jesus Christ and by what He did at the Cross at Calvary, not by "Works", which is by "Water Baptism". We are Saved by Faith, through Jesus Christ and by what He did at the Cross, that is what Saves. I truly dearly Pray that this study was an eye opener for many of you and hope that you have come to the conclusion, that Living for God is what Life is all about, Living for Him and not for you. We are not put on this earth for self, we are designed and placed here to Live and serve God and that is it. There will be many souls in hell for doubting and for not trusting God's Word. As we close in Prayer, give your life up and give you and your all to God. Turn over a new leaf in life and stop living in sin for your sake. God did not create you to be selfishly living in sin. He created you with a Purpose, and that is to Live and Serve Him, with His Life. This life your living is not yours to Live, the way you want to, the body your in is not for you to destroy, the Air that God gave you to breathe, is not yours to polute and to take away. Everything mentioned here, belongs to God. Whenever you destroy the Body that you are in, you also destroy God's relationship with you. Whenever you put yourselves down, you also put God down and that is very sinful and can lead your souls to hell and not Heaven. Come to Jesus Christ, Accept Him as your Lord and Savior and be Baptized by the Holy Ghost and get Saved, before it to late. Lets close in Prayer.
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