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Howdy folks. Take a moment to ponder this short Scripture, depicting something important for us all to know in this life quest:
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
To this passage, I say AMEN! This is the key to consistent peace in this life, friends! One caveat though. This, like so many things in life, is absolutely impossible for us to do. That is, until one receives Jesus into their hearts.
Not convinced? A challenge then. Take a hard look at Who did and can do what we cannot - Jesus Christ.
Find any command in Scripture that He did not fulfill. Anywhere from cover to cover.
I'll wait...
Yep... told ya. So what are we, nuts? Why is His offer to save us by doing what we can't, FOR US AND IN OUR PLACE, so offensive to us?
Really, friends, why?
This is just one proof of His superiority to us. Maybe THAT'S what's so offensive. Who can know the human heart and the depths of its wickedness but God, and yet, this is just one demonstration of why receiving God's Son is the only true vital decision we are here to make. And if made, inspired by His Spirit now within us, to pass the Good News on.
So... believer or unbeliever, can any of us do what is contained in this simple passage, like Jesus did and does, apart from Him right now? Reflect, ponder, and come to an honest conclusion between you and God.
If you find you agree with God, congratulations on your first real step to repentance, and seeking saving faith from God through His written Word and the testimony of His saints - who are, simple empty vessels made of dust - who are called to repent every single day!
Now here is profound proof that Jesus puts His money where His mouth is in His preaching. Who of us, as well as any hero or false god or prophet or look--a-like "jesus", can climb up on our cross and do THIS for a world full of ingrates who through our unbelief, are actual enemies of God in our hearts?
Read this and make a decision today, friends. How will you continue to respond throughout the remainder of your days - which you are unable to forsee?
With laughter, mocking, taunting, spitting on Him, beating Him, nailing and piercing Him, embarrassment to be associated with and speak His Name before men (and hanging out with the clowns who do so), reinventing Who you think YOU believe God should be, proving in front of Him while locking eyes with His anguished eyes and telling Him no thanks I'm righteous enough on my own and have myself and everybody else fooled, or so in love with my pet sins that I'll just hang on to them so I can comfort myself enough to continue to cope with just how much I'm secretly screwed up inside and living a life of quiet desperation, or above all these - in pure demonstration of our evil - when it's all done right in front of our eyes - we remain silent with nothing to say and walk away and throughout our days remain utterly indifferent to such a display of love, mercy, grace, FAITH in God's goodness and holiness, and acknowledgment of His RIGHT to exercise His sovereignty over all of His creation.
Behold the Lamb of God. This is an offer to fully digest what we've all seen since our childhood - such that none of us can claim we just didn't know. None of us...
Luke 23:26-49 NIV
The Crucifixion of Jesus
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then
“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[c] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things."
Who of us can love our enemies to this degree? Who can suffer the full wrath of a righteous God in our place and still insist on addressing Him as His Father with His final words? Entrusting His Spirit into His Father's hands for the hope of being resurrected - and determined to fulfill the work given unto Him?
"It is finished" indeed!!!!
And finally, whose god can purposely plan from eons ago to offer up His own perfect and beloved Son, and allow His own heart to be utterly broken and grieved even while torturing Him and seeming to have abandoned Him?
Almighty God was sacrificed on that cross along with His Son, because they always have and will always be eternally One.
Is that enough for you, friends? Can you see how serious your sins are that it required so much just to save you from the threatening flames and outer darkness of eternal hell? Is continuing in this temporal life without obligation to obey a moral God that precious to you still, after all you've seen and experienced in this evil and fallen world?
For those still curious and open to more revelation to help you make your decision, I highly encourage you to begin by reading all four Gospel accounts. Here's some info that will aid you to choose where to start according to what intrigues you personally:
From an excellent response on Quora:
"Each of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) has a unique perspective on the crucifixion of Jesus, and each provides valuable details and insights. It is difficult to say which Gospel has the "best" account of the crucifixion, as each emphasizes different aspects of the event and is written for a different audience.
For example, Matthew emphasizes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus' death, Mark focuses on the suffering and abandonment of Jesus, Luke highlights the forgiveness and compassion of Jesus towards his executioners, and John emphasizes Jesus' divine identity and victory over death.
All four accounts are important in providing a comprehensive understanding of the crucifixion and its significance in the Christian faith."
Here's the perfect resource to research all you need to accept and follow Jesus all the way to our Heavenly home, His Holy written Word:
biblegateway.com
If
Howdy folks. Take a moment to ponder this short Scripture, depicting something important for us all to know in this life quest:
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
To this passage, I say AMEN! This is the key to consistent peace in this life, friends! One caveat though. This, like so many things in life, is absolutely impossible for us to do. That is, until one receives Jesus into their hearts.
Not convinced? A challenge then. Take a hard look at Who did and can do what we cannot - Jesus Christ.
Find any command in Scripture that He did not fulfill. Anywhere from cover to cover.
I'll wait...
Yep... told ya. So what are we, nuts? Why is His offer to save us by doing what we can't, FOR US AND IN OUR PLACE, so offensive to us?
Really, friends, why?
This is just one proof of His superiority to us. Maybe THAT'S what's so offensive. Who can know the human heart and the depths of its wickedness but God, and yet, this is just one demonstration of why receiving God's Son is the only true vital decision we are here to make. And if made, inspired by His Spirit now within us, to pass the Good News on.
So... believer or unbeliever, can any of us do what is contained in this simple passage, like Jesus did and does, apart from Him right now? Reflect, ponder, and come to an honest conclusion between you and God.
If you find you agree with God, congratulations on your first real step to repentance, and seeking saving faith from God through His written Word and the testimony of His saints - who are, simple empty vessels made of dust - who are called to repent every single day!
Now here is profound proof that Jesus puts His money where His mouth is in His preaching. Who of us, as well as any hero or false god or prophet or look--a-like "jesus", can climb up on our cross and do THIS for a world full of ingrates who through our unbelief, are actual enemies of God in our hearts?
Read this and make a decision today, friends. How will you continue to respond throughout the remainder of your days - which you are unable to forsee?
With laughter, mocking, taunting, spitting on Him, beating Him, nailing and piercing Him, embarrassment to be associated with and speak His Name before men (and hanging out with the clowns who do so), reinventing Who you think YOU believe God should be, proving in front of Him while locking eyes with His anguished eyes and telling Him no thanks I'm righteous enough on my own and have myself and everybody else fooled, or so in love with my pet sins that I'll just hang on to them so I can comfort myself enough to continue to cope with just how much I'm secretly screwed up inside and living a life of quiet desperation, or above all these - in pure demonstration of our evil - when it's all done right in front of our eyes - we remain silent with nothing to say and walk away and throughout our days remain utterly indifferent to such a display of love, mercy, grace, FAITH in God's goodness and holiness, and acknowledgment of His RIGHT to exercise His sovereignty over all of His creation.
Behold the Lamb of God. This is an offer to fully digest what we've all seen since our childhood - such that none of us can claim we just didn't know. None of us...
Luke 23:26-49 NIV
The Crucifixion of Jesus
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then
“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[c] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things."
Who of us can love our enemies to this degree? Who can suffer the full wrath of a righteous God in our place and still insist on addressing Him as His Father with His final words? Entrusting His Spirit into His Father's hands for the hope of being resurrected - and determined to fulfill the work given unto Him?
"It is finished" indeed!!!!
And finally, whose god can purposely plan from eons ago to offer up His own perfect and beloved Son, and allow His own heart to be utterly broken and grieved even while torturing Him and seeming to have abandoned Him?
Almighty God was sacrificed on that cross along with His Son, because they always have and will always be eternally One.
Is that enough for you, friends? Can you see how serious your sins are that it required so much just to save you from the threatening flames and outer darkness of eternal hell? Is continuing in this temporal life without obligation to obey a moral God that precious to you still, after all you've seen and experienced in this evil and fallen world?
For those still curious and open to more revelation to help you make your decision, I highly encourage you to begin your search here, in His Holy Scripture:
biblegateway.com
If you want to know more, develop questions, have objections, have your own insight to share (including events from your journey), want me to shut up and just listen - in other words just want to have a sincere discussion - I am 100% available to you - whoever you are or however beyond redemption you think you are. It is, in fact my dearest desire in all of these hundreds of posts.
I'm telling you, I have been just where you are, and would be again in a heartbeat without Jesus (all believers would because we are still so flawed) - so be assured that I am incapable of condemning you. I long only to bless you by doing what the world will not do - tell you the truth - by aiding you in accepting and following the Truth Himself, also known as the Way and the Life.
I love you, strangers and friends old and new, because Jesus does, k?
Here's my info:
Joe (Joseph) Gunlock
Available via pm here, or...
979-431-2325
joegunlock@gmail.com
Available by zoom too, or eventually in person.
