God the Father's Supreme and Final Revelation to Humanity Part 3
Hebrews 1:4-5 Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son? KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
Our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ (as we learned from the last study/commentary Volume 2 by what the Apostle John wrote concerning Him in (John 1:1-2) & (John 1:14) always was and there never was any time He was not, yet, because of the first man's sin (Adam) all mankind would have to be reborn, regenerated, and resurrected internally before any of us could ever approach God the Father, therefore, He (Christ) who was in the beginning with the Father voluntarily humbled Himself, as it is written in Philippians here, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:6-8) (MKJV), by becoming a man and taking on every man's/woman's sin upon Himself making Himself lower than the angels that He had created, but through His exaltation back to heaven He is now restored back to His rightful and proper place of ruler over all creation and all created things. The writer of Hebrews expresses this truth with these words in this next verse, "Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:4) (KJV).
The writer of Hebrews here is speaking specifically to the newly converted Jews to Christianity understanding there knowledge of the lofty role played by angels in the Old Testament dispensation, especially in the giving of the law. Christ inheritance comes from having made Himself the sin-bearer for humanity and now He has inherited 'the Church', that is all those human sinners who come to Him as gaudy, gross, and guilty sinners recognizing Him as their only hope now (in time) and forever (in eternity). Here is what F.B. Meyer had to say of Christ unique status above the angels, "Jesus is the channel of creation, providence and redemption. He is the far-traveled ray of Deity; but not one among many equals, for of Him alone could it be said that His nature was co-extensive with God’s, as a seal with the die. He is on the throne, not merely because of His original nature, but as the reward of His obedience unto death, Philippians 2:9." The writer of Hebrews expresses the unique status given to the Lord Jesus Christ and that being completely different from any angel of God with these words in the very next verse, "For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son?" (Hebrews 1:5) (KJV).
We know the names of two prominent angels that appeared on ocassions in the Old Testament; one being Gabriel who announced to Mary that she would carry the Messiah in her womb and give birth to Him. Gabriel was never referred to as a son of God, but an angel of God. The archangel Michael also was never referred to as a son of God. The Apostle John again is the writer who declares to us the uniqueness of our Lord Jesus Christ when he wrote these words speaking of Him, "No one has seen God at any time; the Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." (John 1:18) (MKJV). This expresses the unity and the unique Oneness of God the Father and God the Son which is not true of any angel, Micheal or Gabriel included. Here is what the Expositor's Bible Commentary had to say of Christ superiority to angels, "Christ is Son of God, not in the sense in which angels, as a class of beings, are designated by this name, but as He Who has taken His seat on the right hand of the Majesty on high. The greatness of His position is proportionate to the excellency of the name of Son. This name He has not obtained by favour nor attained by effort, but inherited by indefeasible right. Josephus says that the Essenes forbade their disciples to divulge the names of the angels. But He Who has revealed God has been revealed Himself. He is Son. Which of the angels was ever so addressed? To speak of the angels as sons and yet say that not one of them individually is a son may be self-contradictory in words, but the thought is consistent and true."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
I am a Christian Writer of non-fiction primarily and a little fiction. My purpose for forming this site is to Edify Christians with my writing and reach the lost with the uncompromising Gospel of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Letter to the Hebrews Volume 2
God the Father's Supreme and Final Revelation to Humanity Part 2
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
The final revelation of God the Father to humanity is our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ who always was and who always will be, for His 'being' is that of absolute and timeless existence as it is written with these words concerning Him by the Apostle John, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1-2) (MKJV) and also these words in this same first chapter of the Gospel of John, "And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth." (John 1:14) (MKJV). Therefore, the writer to the Hebrews declares these words here concerning Christ Jesus our Lord, "Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1:3) (KJV). The little English phrase 'the express image' is translated by the Greek word charaktēr (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning a graver (the tool or the person), that is, (by implication) engraving 'character', the figure stamped, that is, an exact copy or [figuratively] representation): - express image.
In other words, the baby born in Bethlehem celebrated on Christmas day is the very God who said, 'Let there be light, and there was light' (Genesis 1:3). Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself affirmed this fact of He being God when He spoke these words to an inquiring disciple Philip as also documented for us again by the Apostle John, "Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you such a long time and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. And how do you say, Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? The Words that I speak to you I do not speak of Myself, but the Father who dwells in Me, He does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the very works themselves." (John 14:8-11) (MKJV).
When the writer of Hebrews says this 'upholding all things by the word of His power', he means that the numerous universes He created are all sustained by Him and kept in harmony throughout the ages and millenniums and centuries (Colossians 1:17) declares this as we quoted in the last study/commentary in Volume 1. The word of His power is what He is inherently, inevitably, and internally, for from Him and by His spoken words the universes we made and every living creature was made with the most complex of detail. The Word of His power was witnessed by the early Apostles as documented for us by Mark, "And evening having come, He said to them on that day, Let us pass over to the other side. And when they had sent away the crowd, they took Him with them as He was in the boat. And there were also other little boats with Him. And there arose a windstorm, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was now full. And He was in the stern of the boat, asleep on a headrest. And they awakened Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we perish? And He awakened and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said to them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Mark 4:35-41) (MKJV).
When the writer of Hebrews says 'when He had by Himself purged our sins', he means that Christ alone by His sacrifice cleansed and continually cleanses everyone who comes to Him from their sin/sins. The English word 'purged' used here by the writer of Hebrews is translated by the Greek word katharismos meaning a washing off, that is, (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation: - cleansing, purge, purification, or purifying. In other words, Christ atonement (His Blood) is the purifying agent from the penalty of sin, from the guilt of sin, and also from the crippling power of sin. Because of our nature being sinful and sinning, we could never even approach God the Father without being cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb, as it is written here again by the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation, "And one of the elders answered, saying to me, Who are these who are arrayed in white robes, and from where do they come? And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and have whitened them in the Blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple. And He sitting on the throne will dwell among them. They will not hunger any more, nor thirst any more, nor will the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will feed them and will lead them to the fountains of living waters. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:13-17) (MKJV). Lastly, when the writer of Hebrews says 'sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high', he means to refer to Christ ascension back to heaven where He is given an exalted place next to God the Father as the mediator between God the Father and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Here is the Throne of Grace which our Lord Jesus Christ now sits upon. As the mediator between God and man, our Lord Jesus is continually dealing with sin as the bearer of it, the cleanser of it, and the forgiver of it before the Majesty on High (God the Father).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
The final revelation of God the Father to humanity is our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ who always was and who always will be, for His 'being' is that of absolute and timeless existence as it is written with these words concerning Him by the Apostle John, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1-2) (MKJV) and also these words in this same first chapter of the Gospel of John, "And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth." (John 1:14) (MKJV). Therefore, the writer to the Hebrews declares these words here concerning Christ Jesus our Lord, "Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1:3) (KJV). The little English phrase 'the express image' is translated by the Greek word charaktēr (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning a graver (the tool or the person), that is, (by implication) engraving 'character', the figure stamped, that is, an exact copy or [figuratively] representation): - express image.
In other words, the baby born in Bethlehem celebrated on Christmas day is the very God who said, 'Let there be light, and there was light' (Genesis 1:3). Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself affirmed this fact of He being God when He spoke these words to an inquiring disciple Philip as also documented for us again by the Apostle John, "Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you such a long time and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. And how do you say, Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? The Words that I speak to you I do not speak of Myself, but the Father who dwells in Me, He does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the very works themselves." (John 14:8-11) (MKJV).
When the writer of Hebrews says this 'upholding all things by the word of His power', he means that the numerous universes He created are all sustained by Him and kept in harmony throughout the ages and millenniums and centuries (Colossians 1:17) declares this as we quoted in the last study/commentary in Volume 1. The word of His power is what He is inherently, inevitably, and internally, for from Him and by His spoken words the universes we made and every living creature was made with the most complex of detail. The Word of His power was witnessed by the early Apostles as documented for us by Mark, "And evening having come, He said to them on that day, Let us pass over to the other side. And when they had sent away the crowd, they took Him with them as He was in the boat. And there were also other little boats with Him. And there arose a windstorm, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was now full. And He was in the stern of the boat, asleep on a headrest. And they awakened Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we perish? And He awakened and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said to them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Mark 4:35-41) (MKJV).
When the writer of Hebrews says 'when He had by Himself purged our sins', he means that Christ alone by His sacrifice cleansed and continually cleanses everyone who comes to Him from their sin/sins. The English word 'purged' used here by the writer of Hebrews is translated by the Greek word katharismos meaning a washing off, that is, (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation: - cleansing, purge, purification, or purifying. In other words, Christ atonement (His Blood) is the purifying agent from the penalty of sin, from the guilt of sin, and also from the crippling power of sin. Because of our nature being sinful and sinning, we could never even approach God the Father without being cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb, as it is written here again by the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation, "And one of the elders answered, saying to me, Who are these who are arrayed in white robes, and from where do they come? And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and have whitened them in the Blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple. And He sitting on the throne will dwell among them. They will not hunger any more, nor thirst any more, nor will the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will feed them and will lead them to the fountains of living waters. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:13-17) (MKJV). Lastly, when the writer of Hebrews says 'sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high', he means to refer to Christ ascension back to heaven where He is given an exalted place next to God the Father as the mediator between God the Father and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Here is the Throne of Grace which our Lord Jesus Christ now sits upon. As the mediator between God and man, our Lord Jesus is continually dealing with sin as the bearer of it, the cleanser of it, and the forgiver of it before the Majesty on High (God the Father).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Letter to the Hebrews Volume 1
God the Father's Supreme and Final Revelation to Humanity Part 1
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
From the time that followed man's rebellion in the Garden of Eden (Adam's sin) and he was therefore kicked out of that place of paradise and relegated to a life of hardship and toil as it is written here, "And to Adam He said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it! The ground is cursed for your sake. In pain shall you eat of it all the days of your life. It shall also bring forth thorns and thistles to you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:17-19) (MKJV), God the Father spoke to man periodically through individual men and women (Prophets and Prophetesses) revealing His Will to humanity, as He declares here through the writer of Hebrews, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," (Hebrews 1:1) (KJV). The little English phrase 'who at sundry times' is translated by the Greek word polumerōs (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning in many portions, that is, variously as to time and agency (piecemeal): - at sundry times. In other words, God the Father long ago chose particular men and women to reveal pieces of His Divine will to humanity, but not the entire revelation, they only knew in part, in piecemeal, or in portions. The little English phrase 'in divers manners' is translated by the Greek word polutropōs (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning in many ways, that is, variously as to method or form: - in divers manners. In other words, God the Father spoke to these men and women He chose not all in the same manner, for example internal suggestions, audible voices, dreams, and visions, here is what He declared with these words recorded for us by Moses, "And He said, Hear now My words. If there is a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make Myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream." (Numbers 12:6) (MKJV).
These are some of the ways God the Father spoke to the 'fathers' 'in times past' and that meaning the Jewish fathers (for this epistle or letter was prepared for the Jewish converts to Christianity) during the days before His Final revelation which He declares in the very next verse. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of this verse, "The Apostle begins the epistle with an account of the revelation God has made of His mind and will in former times: the author of this revelation is God, not essentially, but personally considered, even God the Father, as distinguished from His Son in the next verse; for the revelation under the Old Testament is divine, as well as that under the New; in this they both agree, in whatsoever else they differ: and this revelation was made at several times, at different seasons, and to different persons; and consisted of a variety of things relating to doctrine and worship, and concerning the Messiah, His person and office; of whom, at different times, there were gradual discoveries made, both before and after the giving of the law, from the beginning of the world, or the giving forth of the first promise, and in the times of the patriarchs, of: Moses, David, Isaiah, and other prophets: and this was delivered in various manners; sometimes by angels; sometimes in a dream; at other times by a vision; and by Moses, and other succeeding prophets, as David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi, and others; who were sent to the Jewish fathers, the ancestors of the people of the Jews, to whom they prophesied and declared the will of God, as they were moved and inspired by the Holy Ghost: and the Apostle suggests, by this way of speaking, that it was a long time since God spake to this people; for prophecy had ceased ever since the times of Malachi, for the space of three hundred years; and this time past includes the whole Old Testament dispensation, from the beginning to the end of it, or of prophecy in it."
As those 300 years since God the Father spoke through the Prophet Malachi past by, there was no revelation given by God the Father through any other prophet or prophetess at all, but now the final revelation to the Jewish fathers and the Gentile population has come and that coming revelation is none other than our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as it is written here by the writer of Hebrews with these words, "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;" (Hebrews 1:2) (KJV). Our Lord Jesus Christ appears at the end of the Old Covenant for 331/2 years and by and through His death on the Cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead and ascension back to heaven, He ushers in the New Covenant by the shedding of His Divine Blood, for not only the Jewish people, but for the whole world (John 3:16-17). Jesus Christ is the revelation of God the Father in human flesh, as it is written, "No one has seen God at any time; the Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." (John 1:18) (MKJV). God the Father has sent His Son (the heir of all things created and the possessor of all things divine and holy) to the Jewish fathers, but they rejected Him (Mark 12:1-12), however, all who receive Him (Jew and Gentile) it is as it is written here, "He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God." (John 3:18) (MKJV).
Through our Lord Jesus Christ all things were made that are in heaven and on the earth and He holds all things together as it is written here, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation. For all things were created by Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." (Colossians 1:15-17) (MKJV). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of this verse, "God's method of communicating His mind and will under the New Testament dispensation, these last days as they are called, that is, either towards the end of the world, or the end of the Jewish state. The times of the Gospel are the last times, the Gospel revelation is the last we are to expect from God. There was first the natural revelation; then the patriarchal, by dreams, visions, and voices; then the Mosaic, in the law given forth and written down; then the prophetic, in explaining the law, and giving clearer discoveries of Christ: but now we must expect no new revelation, but only more of the Spirit of Christ to help us better to understand what is already revealed. Now the excellency of the Gospel revelation above the former consists in two things: It is the final, the finishing revelation, given forth in the last days of divine revelation, to which nothing is to be added, but the canon of scripture is to be settled and sealed: so that now the minds of men are no longer kept in suspense by the expectation of new discoveries, but they rejoice in a complete revelation of the will of God, both preceptive and providential, so far as is necessary for them to know in order to their direction and comfort. For the Gospel includes a discovery of the great events that shall befall the Church of God to the end of the world. It is a revelation which God has made by His Son, the most excellent messenger that was ever sent into the world, far superior to all the ancient patriarchs and prophets, by whom God communicated His will to His people in former times."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
From the time that followed man's rebellion in the Garden of Eden (Adam's sin) and he was therefore kicked out of that place of paradise and relegated to a life of hardship and toil as it is written here, "And to Adam He said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it! The ground is cursed for your sake. In pain shall you eat of it all the days of your life. It shall also bring forth thorns and thistles to you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:17-19) (MKJV), God the Father spoke to man periodically through individual men and women (Prophets and Prophetesses) revealing His Will to humanity, as He declares here through the writer of Hebrews, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," (Hebrews 1:1) (KJV). The little English phrase 'who at sundry times' is translated by the Greek word polumerōs (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning in many portions, that is, variously as to time and agency (piecemeal): - at sundry times. In other words, God the Father long ago chose particular men and women to reveal pieces of His Divine will to humanity, but not the entire revelation, they only knew in part, in piecemeal, or in portions. The little English phrase 'in divers manners' is translated by the Greek word polutropōs (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning in many ways, that is, variously as to method or form: - in divers manners. In other words, God the Father spoke to these men and women He chose not all in the same manner, for example internal suggestions, audible voices, dreams, and visions, here is what He declared with these words recorded for us by Moses, "And He said, Hear now My words. If there is a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make Myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream." (Numbers 12:6) (MKJV).
These are some of the ways God the Father spoke to the 'fathers' 'in times past' and that meaning the Jewish fathers (for this epistle or letter was prepared for the Jewish converts to Christianity) during the days before His Final revelation which He declares in the very next verse. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of this verse, "The Apostle begins the epistle with an account of the revelation God has made of His mind and will in former times: the author of this revelation is God, not essentially, but personally considered, even God the Father, as distinguished from His Son in the next verse; for the revelation under the Old Testament is divine, as well as that under the New; in this they both agree, in whatsoever else they differ: and this revelation was made at several times, at different seasons, and to different persons; and consisted of a variety of things relating to doctrine and worship, and concerning the Messiah, His person and office; of whom, at different times, there were gradual discoveries made, both before and after the giving of the law, from the beginning of the world, or the giving forth of the first promise, and in the times of the patriarchs, of: Moses, David, Isaiah, and other prophets: and this was delivered in various manners; sometimes by angels; sometimes in a dream; at other times by a vision; and by Moses, and other succeeding prophets, as David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi, and others; who were sent to the Jewish fathers, the ancestors of the people of the Jews, to whom they prophesied and declared the will of God, as they were moved and inspired by the Holy Ghost: and the Apostle suggests, by this way of speaking, that it was a long time since God spake to this people; for prophecy had ceased ever since the times of Malachi, for the space of three hundred years; and this time past includes the whole Old Testament dispensation, from the beginning to the end of it, or of prophecy in it."
As those 300 years since God the Father spoke through the Prophet Malachi past by, there was no revelation given by God the Father through any other prophet or prophetess at all, but now the final revelation to the Jewish fathers and the Gentile population has come and that coming revelation is none other than our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as it is written here by the writer of Hebrews with these words, "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;" (Hebrews 1:2) (KJV). Our Lord Jesus Christ appears at the end of the Old Covenant for 331/2 years and by and through His death on the Cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead and ascension back to heaven, He ushers in the New Covenant by the shedding of His Divine Blood, for not only the Jewish people, but for the whole world (John 3:16-17). Jesus Christ is the revelation of God the Father in human flesh, as it is written, "No one has seen God at any time; the Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." (John 1:18) (MKJV). God the Father has sent His Son (the heir of all things created and the possessor of all things divine and holy) to the Jewish fathers, but they rejected Him (Mark 12:1-12), however, all who receive Him (Jew and Gentile) it is as it is written here, "He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God." (John 3:18) (MKJV).
Through our Lord Jesus Christ all things were made that are in heaven and on the earth and He holds all things together as it is written here, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation. For all things were created by Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." (Colossians 1:15-17) (MKJV). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of this verse, "God's method of communicating His mind and will under the New Testament dispensation, these last days as they are called, that is, either towards the end of the world, or the end of the Jewish state. The times of the Gospel are the last times, the Gospel revelation is the last we are to expect from God. There was first the natural revelation; then the patriarchal, by dreams, visions, and voices; then the Mosaic, in the law given forth and written down; then the prophetic, in explaining the law, and giving clearer discoveries of Christ: but now we must expect no new revelation, but only more of the Spirit of Christ to help us better to understand what is already revealed. Now the excellency of the Gospel revelation above the former consists in two things: It is the final, the finishing revelation, given forth in the last days of divine revelation, to which nothing is to be added, but the canon of scripture is to be settled and sealed: so that now the minds of men are no longer kept in suspense by the expectation of new discoveries, but they rejoice in a complete revelation of the will of God, both preceptive and providential, so far as is necessary for them to know in order to their direction and comfort. For the Gospel includes a discovery of the great events that shall befall the Church of God to the end of the world. It is a revelation which God has made by His Son, the most excellent messenger that was ever sent into the world, far superior to all the ancient patriarchs and prophets, by whom God communicated His will to His people in former times."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Paul's Letter to Brother Philemon Volume 9
Paul Concludes his Letter and Bids Farewell to Philemon Part 2
Philemon 1:21-25 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
The Apostle Paul knew that this was a delicate situation and that this was not something that Brother Philemon or any other man would do without concern or care for what he has suffered from Onesimus' dirty deed against him, only the faithless, fake, and false so called christian would do that, for he is not desiring to please Jesus Christ but instead his own belly, therefore, loss for him is not really loss because he will recover more for himself from his own acts of robbing and stealing just as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church @ Rome with these words, "And I exhort you, brothers, to watch those making divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For they who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18) (MKJV), but Paul knows Philemon and knows that despite being hurt by what was done to him he will receive Onesimus back with full forgiveness and pardon as these words from Paul declare, "Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say." (Philemon 1:21) (KJV).
The Apostle Paul was not only confident in Philemon pardoning Onesimus thievery, but he expected Philemon to release Onesimus from his slavery and set him free making him a free man just as Philemon himself. Here is what Robertson's Word Pictures had to say of this verse, "That can only mean that Paul 'knows' that Philemon will set Onesimus free. He prefers that it come as Philemon's idea and wish rather than as a command from Paul. Paul has been criticized for not denouncing slavery in plain terms. But, when one considers the actual conditions in the Roman empire, he is a wise man who can suggest a better plan than the one pursued here for the ultimate overthrow of slavery." Paul was the ultimate optimist and being true to that part of himself writes these final words of instruction to Brother Philemon before he bids him farewell, "But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you." (Philemon 1:22) (KJV). The Apostle Paul expected our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to liberate him, that is, free him from his present Roman captivity, then he would be able to visit Brother Philemon and see with his own eyes that all he had believed about him and what he would do concerning Onesimus (the runaway slave) would be reality.
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of this verse, "Not that the Apostle expected or desired any grand apartment to be fitted up for him; a room with such furniture as the Shunamite provided for the man of God was sufficient for him, and what he would have been entirely contented with; but his view in this was, to let Philemon know that he hoped to be released from his bonds, and that he might expect to see him; and this he hinted to him, in order to stir him up to receive his servant sooner, and the more readily; who otherwise might have been indifferent to it, and negligent of it, thinking he should never see the Apostle's face any more. For I trust, that through your prayers I shall be given you; to minister in the Gospel again among them: the Apostle was a man of prayer himself, and he had a very great regard to the prayers of others, and often desired an interest in them; that he might perform his ministerial work as it should be; that he might have success in it; and that he might be delivered from the unbelieving Jews, and from wicked and unreasonable men; and he had some secret hope and trust in his own mind, that through the prayers of the saints he should be delivered from his bonds, and go up and down preaching the Gospel as heretofore." Finally, Paul sends Philemon greetings from those Brothers 'in Christ' who were also in captivity with him, "There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers." (Philemon 1:23-24) (KJV). Paul ends the letter as he had began it by calling on our Lord Jesus Christ to bestow his grace upon Brother Philemon, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." (Philemon 1:25) (KJV).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Philemon 1:21-25 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
The Apostle Paul knew that this was a delicate situation and that this was not something that Brother Philemon or any other man would do without concern or care for what he has suffered from Onesimus' dirty deed against him, only the faithless, fake, and false so called christian would do that, for he is not desiring to please Jesus Christ but instead his own belly, therefore, loss for him is not really loss because he will recover more for himself from his own acts of robbing and stealing just as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church @ Rome with these words, "And I exhort you, brothers, to watch those making divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For they who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18) (MKJV), but Paul knows Philemon and knows that despite being hurt by what was done to him he will receive Onesimus back with full forgiveness and pardon as these words from Paul declare, "Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say." (Philemon 1:21) (KJV).
The Apostle Paul was not only confident in Philemon pardoning Onesimus thievery, but he expected Philemon to release Onesimus from his slavery and set him free making him a free man just as Philemon himself. Here is what Robertson's Word Pictures had to say of this verse, "That can only mean that Paul 'knows' that Philemon will set Onesimus free. He prefers that it come as Philemon's idea and wish rather than as a command from Paul. Paul has been criticized for not denouncing slavery in plain terms. But, when one considers the actual conditions in the Roman empire, he is a wise man who can suggest a better plan than the one pursued here for the ultimate overthrow of slavery." Paul was the ultimate optimist and being true to that part of himself writes these final words of instruction to Brother Philemon before he bids him farewell, "But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you." (Philemon 1:22) (KJV). The Apostle Paul expected our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to liberate him, that is, free him from his present Roman captivity, then he would be able to visit Brother Philemon and see with his own eyes that all he had believed about him and what he would do concerning Onesimus (the runaway slave) would be reality.
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of this verse, "Not that the Apostle expected or desired any grand apartment to be fitted up for him; a room with such furniture as the Shunamite provided for the man of God was sufficient for him, and what he would have been entirely contented with; but his view in this was, to let Philemon know that he hoped to be released from his bonds, and that he might expect to see him; and this he hinted to him, in order to stir him up to receive his servant sooner, and the more readily; who otherwise might have been indifferent to it, and negligent of it, thinking he should never see the Apostle's face any more. For I trust, that through your prayers I shall be given you; to minister in the Gospel again among them: the Apostle was a man of prayer himself, and he had a very great regard to the prayers of others, and often desired an interest in them; that he might perform his ministerial work as it should be; that he might have success in it; and that he might be delivered from the unbelieving Jews, and from wicked and unreasonable men; and he had some secret hope and trust in his own mind, that through the prayers of the saints he should be delivered from his bonds, and go up and down preaching the Gospel as heretofore." Finally, Paul sends Philemon greetings from those Brothers 'in Christ' who were also in captivity with him, "There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers." (Philemon 1:23-24) (KJV). Paul ends the letter as he had began it by calling on our Lord Jesus Christ to bestow his grace upon Brother Philemon, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." (Philemon 1:25) (KJV).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Paul's Letter to Brother Philemon Volume 8
Paul Concludes his Letter and Bids Farewell to Philemon Part 1
Philemon 1:19-20 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
Paul makes it clear here to Philemon that he will repay whatever Onesimus had stolen from him, yet Paul does not expect him to require him to do so, but he wants him to know how much he cares for Onesimus and how much he has seen the change in him after he heard the Gospel of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and truly became a believer. Paul wanted to remind Philemon how he had been the instrument of God the Father in bringing the Gospel of Christ to him and God the Holy Spirit baptizing him into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), so he declares these words to him, "I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides." (Philemon 1:19) (KJV). Paul wanted to let Brother Philemon know how personal this letter was to him, so he declares here that he had written it with his own hand. Paul may have had poor eye sight as it is written by him to the Galatians with these words, "But you know that through infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel to you before, and you did not despise my temptation in my flesh, nor did you spurn it. But you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then was your blessedness? For I bear you record that, if you were able, plucking out your eyes, you would have given them to me." (Galatians 4:13-15) (MKJV), however, despite this he did not use a stenographer or transcriber to write this letter for him because it was too personal to him, so he wanted to pen every word with his own hand no matter the difficulty or length of time it took. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about this verse, "It has been inferred from this, that Paul wrote this entire Epistle with his own hand, though this was contrary to his usual practice. He undoubtedly meant to refer to this as a mark of special favor toward Philemon, and as furnishing security that he would certainly be bound for what he had promised. I will be security for it. It is not probable that Paul supposed that Philemon would rigidly exact it from him, but if he did, he would feel himself bound to pay it. Paul had doubtless been the means of the conversion of Philemon, and whatever hope he cherished of eternal life, was to be traced to his instrumentality. Paul says that this was equivalent to his owing himself to him. His very life - his eternal welfare - was to be traced to his labors. What he asked now of him was a small matter compared with this, and he seems to have supposed - what was probably true - that for this consideration, Philemon would not think of exacting of him what he had voluntarily obligated himself to obey."
Paul desires that Philemon would gratify him in his inner man by graciously accepting Philemon back with these next words here, "Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord." (Philemon 1:20) (KJV). The joy Paul sought was the reestablishing of contact between Philemon and Onesimus, but that their reconciliation would be different now that Onesimus has also become a Christian and that their reunion would now be that (not of a slave returning to his master), but that of a newly adopted brother becoming a part of his family. This would bring to the Apostle Paul's inner man much joy in the Lord. Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of this verse, "The request for the sake of which the whole letter is written is here put as a kindness to Paul himself, and thus an entirely different motive is appealed to. 'Surely you would be glad to give me pleasure. Then do this thing which I ask you.' It is permissible to seek to draw to virtuous acts by such a motive, and to reinforce higher reasons by the desire to please dear ones, or to win the approbation of the wise and good. It must be rigidly kept as a subsidiary motive, and distinguished from the mere love of applause. Most men have some one whose opinion of their acts is a kind of embodied conscience, and whose satisfaction is reward. But pleasing the dearest and purest among men can never be more than at most a crutch to help lameness or a spur to stimulate. If however this motive be lifted to the higher level, and these words thought of as Paul's echo of Christ's appeal to those who love Him, they beautifully express the peculiar blessedness of Christian ethics. The strongest motive, the very mainspring and pulsing heart of Christian duty, is to please Christ. His language to His followers is not, 'Do this because it is right,' but, 'Do this because it pleaseth Me,' They have a living Person to gratify, not a mere law of duty to obey. The help which is given to weakness by the hope of winning golden opinions from, or giving pleasure to, those whom men love is transferred in the Christian relation to Jesus. So the cold thought of duty is warmed, and the weight of obedience to a stony, impersonal law is lightened, and a new power is enlisted on the side of goodness, which sways more mightily than all the abstractions of duty. The Christ Himself makes His appeal to men in the same tender fashion as Paul to Philemon. He will move to holy obedience by the thought - wonderful as it is - that it gladdens Him. Many a weak heart has been braced and made capable of heroisms of endurance and effort, and of angel deeds of mercy, all beyond its own strength, by that great thought, 'We labour that, whether present or absent, we may be well-pleasing to Him.'"
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Philemon 1:19-20 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
Paul makes it clear here to Philemon that he will repay whatever Onesimus had stolen from him, yet Paul does not expect him to require him to do so, but he wants him to know how much he cares for Onesimus and how much he has seen the change in him after he heard the Gospel of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and truly became a believer. Paul wanted to remind Philemon how he had been the instrument of God the Father in bringing the Gospel of Christ to him and God the Holy Spirit baptizing him into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), so he declares these words to him, "I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides." (Philemon 1:19) (KJV). Paul wanted to let Brother Philemon know how personal this letter was to him, so he declares here that he had written it with his own hand. Paul may have had poor eye sight as it is written by him to the Galatians with these words, "But you know that through infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel to you before, and you did not despise my temptation in my flesh, nor did you spurn it. But you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then was your blessedness? For I bear you record that, if you were able, plucking out your eyes, you would have given them to me." (Galatians 4:13-15) (MKJV), however, despite this he did not use a stenographer or transcriber to write this letter for him because it was too personal to him, so he wanted to pen every word with his own hand no matter the difficulty or length of time it took. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about this verse, "It has been inferred from this, that Paul wrote this entire Epistle with his own hand, though this was contrary to his usual practice. He undoubtedly meant to refer to this as a mark of special favor toward Philemon, and as furnishing security that he would certainly be bound for what he had promised. I will be security for it. It is not probable that Paul supposed that Philemon would rigidly exact it from him, but if he did, he would feel himself bound to pay it. Paul had doubtless been the means of the conversion of Philemon, and whatever hope he cherished of eternal life, was to be traced to his instrumentality. Paul says that this was equivalent to his owing himself to him. His very life - his eternal welfare - was to be traced to his labors. What he asked now of him was a small matter compared with this, and he seems to have supposed - what was probably true - that for this consideration, Philemon would not think of exacting of him what he had voluntarily obligated himself to obey."
Paul desires that Philemon would gratify him in his inner man by graciously accepting Philemon back with these next words here, "Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord." (Philemon 1:20) (KJV). The joy Paul sought was the reestablishing of contact between Philemon and Onesimus, but that their reconciliation would be different now that Onesimus has also become a Christian and that their reunion would now be that (not of a slave returning to his master), but that of a newly adopted brother becoming a part of his family. This would bring to the Apostle Paul's inner man much joy in the Lord. Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of this verse, "The request for the sake of which the whole letter is written is here put as a kindness to Paul himself, and thus an entirely different motive is appealed to. 'Surely you would be glad to give me pleasure. Then do this thing which I ask you.' It is permissible to seek to draw to virtuous acts by such a motive, and to reinforce higher reasons by the desire to please dear ones, or to win the approbation of the wise and good. It must be rigidly kept as a subsidiary motive, and distinguished from the mere love of applause. Most men have some one whose opinion of their acts is a kind of embodied conscience, and whose satisfaction is reward. But pleasing the dearest and purest among men can never be more than at most a crutch to help lameness or a spur to stimulate. If however this motive be lifted to the higher level, and these words thought of as Paul's echo of Christ's appeal to those who love Him, they beautifully express the peculiar blessedness of Christian ethics. The strongest motive, the very mainspring and pulsing heart of Christian duty, is to please Christ. His language to His followers is not, 'Do this because it is right,' but, 'Do this because it pleaseth Me,' They have a living Person to gratify, not a mere law of duty to obey. The help which is given to weakness by the hope of winning golden opinions from, or giving pleasure to, those whom men love is transferred in the Christian relation to Jesus. So the cold thought of duty is warmed, and the weight of obedience to a stony, impersonal law is lightened, and a new power is enlisted on the side of goodness, which sways more mightily than all the abstractions of duty. The Christ Himself makes His appeal to men in the same tender fashion as Paul to Philemon. He will move to holy obedience by the thought - wonderful as it is - that it gladdens Him. Many a weak heart has been braced and made capable of heroisms of endurance and effort, and of angel deeds of mercy, all beyond its own strength, by that great thought, 'We labour that, whether present or absent, we may be well-pleasing to Him.'"
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Paul's Letter to Brother Philemon Volume 7
Paul makes a Humble Request to Philemon for Onesimus Part 4
Philemon 1:16-18 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
Paul now spells out exactly what he wants to see Philemon do in this matter of receiving back his slave Onesimus and why he wants to see this be the determined, defined, and the decided mind of Brother Philemon by these very next words here in verse 16, "Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?" (Philemon 1:16) (KJV). Paul no longer sees the old Onesimus, but only the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and he wants so much that Philemon do likewise. Paul no longer sees the thieving runaway slave, but now he sees another fellow Christian who is beloved by our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though this man is still technically owned as a slave by Philemon, Paul wants him to disavow, disclaim, and even deny his slave status and receive him back as a brother 'in Christ' for the remainder of their time here as pilgrims and sojourners on the earth who are destined to be together in heaven for all eternity.
With this thought in mind, Onesimus would be freely forgiven by Philemon, even as Christ has forgiven him all his sins as it is written again by this same Apostle to the Church @ Colosse with these words, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender feelings of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone has a complaint against any. As Christ forgave you, so also you do." (Colossians 3:12-13) (MKJV). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of this verse, "Do not receive him merely as thy slave, nor treat him according to that condition; but as a brother - as a genuine Christian, and particularly dear to me. There is no reason to believe that Onesimus was of the kindred of Philemon; and we must take the term flesh, here, as referring to the right which Philemon had in him. He was a part of his property and of his family; as a slave, this was his condition; but he now stood in a twofold relation to Philemon: 1. According to the flesh, as above explained, he was one of his family. 2. In the Lord; he was now also a member of the heavenly family, and of the Church at Philemon's house. Philemon's interest in him was now doubled, in consequence of his conversion to Christianity."
Next, the Apostle Paul appeals to Brother Philemon's trust and confidence in him as he declares so with these very next words in verse 17, "If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself." (Philemon 1:17) (KJV). Paul's plea for Philemon to receive back Onesimus as if it were Paul himself returning to him having done or committed the same galling, glaring, and gross sins against him. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of this verse, "The word rendered 'partner' koinōnos, means 'a partaker, a companion.' The idea in the word is that of having something in common with any one - as common principles; common attachments; a common interest in an enterprise; common hopes. It may be applied to those who hold the same principles of religion, and who have the same hope of heaven, the same views of things, etc. Here the meaning is, that if Philemon regarded Paul as sharing with him in the principles and hopes of religion, or as a brother in the Gospel so that he would receive him, he ought to receive Onesimus in the same way. He was actuated by the same principles, and had the same hopes, and had a claim to be received as a Christian brother. His receiving Onesimus would be interpreted by Paul as proof that he regarded him as a partaker of the hopes of the Gospel, and as a companion and friend."
Paul declares to Brother Philemon that he would be responsible for any money or other resources that Onesimus had stolen from him with these next words in verse 18, "If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;" (Philemon 1:18) (KJV). Paul is willing to reimburse Philemon for any money or other resources Onesimus stole from him in order that it would not be a hardship to Philemon and also so that he would be more willing to receive him back into his home. Paul made this statement because he was willing to do just as he says here, however, he probably did not expect that Philemon would require him to do so. Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of this verse, "The verb used here for put to the account of is, according to the commentators, a very rare word; and perhaps the singular phrase may be chosen to let another great Christian truth shine through. Was Paul's love the only one that we know of which took the slave's debts on itself? Did anybody else ever say, 'Put that on mine account'? We have been taught to ask for the forgiveness of our sins as 'debts,' and we have been taught that there is One on whom God has made to meet the iniquities of us all. Christ takes on Himself all Paul's debt, all Philemon's, all ours. He has paid the ransom for all, and He so identifies Himself with men that He takes all their sins upon Him, and so identifies men with Himself that they are 'received as Himself.' It is His great example that Paul is trying to copy here. Forgiven all that great debt, he dare not rise from his knees to take his brother by the throat, but goes forth to show to his fellow the mercy which he has found, and to model his life after the pattern of that miracle of love in which is his trust. It is Christ's own voice which echoes in 'put that on mine account.'"
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Philemon 1:16-18 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
Paul now spells out exactly what he wants to see Philemon do in this matter of receiving back his slave Onesimus and why he wants to see this be the determined, defined, and the decided mind of Brother Philemon by these very next words here in verse 16, "Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?" (Philemon 1:16) (KJV). Paul no longer sees the old Onesimus, but only the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and he wants so much that Philemon do likewise. Paul no longer sees the thieving runaway slave, but now he sees another fellow Christian who is beloved by our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though this man is still technically owned as a slave by Philemon, Paul wants him to disavow, disclaim, and even deny his slave status and receive him back as a brother 'in Christ' for the remainder of their time here as pilgrims and sojourners on the earth who are destined to be together in heaven for all eternity.
With this thought in mind, Onesimus would be freely forgiven by Philemon, even as Christ has forgiven him all his sins as it is written again by this same Apostle to the Church @ Colosse with these words, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender feelings of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone has a complaint against any. As Christ forgave you, so also you do." (Colossians 3:12-13) (MKJV). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of this verse, "Do not receive him merely as thy slave, nor treat him according to that condition; but as a brother - as a genuine Christian, and particularly dear to me. There is no reason to believe that Onesimus was of the kindred of Philemon; and we must take the term flesh, here, as referring to the right which Philemon had in him. He was a part of his property and of his family; as a slave, this was his condition; but he now stood in a twofold relation to Philemon: 1. According to the flesh, as above explained, he was one of his family. 2. In the Lord; he was now also a member of the heavenly family, and of the Church at Philemon's house. Philemon's interest in him was now doubled, in consequence of his conversion to Christianity."
Next, the Apostle Paul appeals to Brother Philemon's trust and confidence in him as he declares so with these very next words in verse 17, "If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself." (Philemon 1:17) (KJV). Paul's plea for Philemon to receive back Onesimus as if it were Paul himself returning to him having done or committed the same galling, glaring, and gross sins against him. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of this verse, "The word rendered 'partner' koinōnos, means 'a partaker, a companion.' The idea in the word is that of having something in common with any one - as common principles; common attachments; a common interest in an enterprise; common hopes. It may be applied to those who hold the same principles of religion, and who have the same hope of heaven, the same views of things, etc. Here the meaning is, that if Philemon regarded Paul as sharing with him in the principles and hopes of religion, or as a brother in the Gospel so that he would receive him, he ought to receive Onesimus in the same way. He was actuated by the same principles, and had the same hopes, and had a claim to be received as a Christian brother. His receiving Onesimus would be interpreted by Paul as proof that he regarded him as a partaker of the hopes of the Gospel, and as a companion and friend."
Paul declares to Brother Philemon that he would be responsible for any money or other resources that Onesimus had stolen from him with these next words in verse 18, "If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;" (Philemon 1:18) (KJV). Paul is willing to reimburse Philemon for any money or other resources Onesimus stole from him in order that it would not be a hardship to Philemon and also so that he would be more willing to receive him back into his home. Paul made this statement because he was willing to do just as he says here, however, he probably did not expect that Philemon would require him to do so. Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of this verse, "The verb used here for put to the account of is, according to the commentators, a very rare word; and perhaps the singular phrase may be chosen to let another great Christian truth shine through. Was Paul's love the only one that we know of which took the slave's debts on itself? Did anybody else ever say, 'Put that on mine account'? We have been taught to ask for the forgiveness of our sins as 'debts,' and we have been taught that there is One on whom God has made to meet the iniquities of us all. Christ takes on Himself all Paul's debt, all Philemon's, all ours. He has paid the ransom for all, and He so identifies Himself with men that He takes all their sins upon Him, and so identifies men with Himself that they are 'received as Himself.' It is His great example that Paul is trying to copy here. Forgiven all that great debt, he dare not rise from his knees to take his brother by the throat, but goes forth to show to his fellow the mercy which he has found, and to model his life after the pattern of that miracle of love in which is his trust. It is Christ's own voice which echoes in 'put that on mine account.'"
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Paul's Letter to Brother Philemon Volume 6
Paul makes a Humble Request to Philemon for Onesimus Part 3
Philemon 1:13-15 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the Gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
It was always like the Apostle Paul to try and do things in there proper order and things that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ would want him to do and that would please Him. Here we have a situation that maybe small or even insignificant to most people, but not to the Apostle Paul, for he knew that this man Onesimus did not belong with him any longer, yet he wanted to and was tempted to keep him there in Rome with him to minister the Gospel of Christ there as we see with these very next words in this letter, "Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the Gospel:" (Philemon 1:13) (KJV). Paul desired to have Onesimus remain there in Rome with him, but he knew that sending him back to Philemon would be the right thing to do, especially since now Onesimus has received Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul also knew that if Philemon himself were there in Rome, that he would help Paul in the minstering of the Gospel there, just as now Onesimus was doing instead. Onesimus had become such a beloved and faithful brother to the Apostle Paul that he wanted him to continue there that he would grow even more in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of this verse, "As Philemon was one of Paul's converts, he became thereby his spiritual father, and had a right to his services when in need. This was a strong argument, not only to induce Philemon to forgive his servant, but to send him back to the Apostle, that he might minister to him in his master's stead."
Next Paul shows his high regard and respect for Brother Philemon, even though as an Apostle he could have just commanded Philemon to receive back his slave Onesimus or commanded him to agree with Onesimus staying in Rome with Paul, but as we see with these next words Paul was courteous to Philemon for Christ sake showing his esteem and approval of such a wonderful loving saint of God, "But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly." (Philemon 1:14) (KJV). Paul never wanted to command this fellow brother 'in Christ' to do that which was the right thing to do, but instead he wanted him to respond to the will of God and voluntarily do that which was right for him and for Paul as well. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse, "If the Apostle had kept Onesimus in his service, and written to Philemon to forgive him and permit him to stay, to this it is probable he would have agreed; but the benefit thus conceded might have lost much of its real worth by the consideration that, had he been at Colosse, Philemon would not have sent him to Rome; but, being there and in the Apostle's service, he could not with propriety order him home: thus the benefit to the Apostle would have appeared to have been of necessity. The Apostle, therefore, by sending him back again, gave Philemon the opportunity to do all as if self-moved to it. This is a very delicate touch."
Paul declares to Brother Philemon that this act of revolt, resistance, and rebellion on the part of Onesimus when he stole from Philemon and ran away was the very thing that brought him to an encounter with the Living Christ and saved him for time and eternity, "For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;" (Philemon 1:15) (KJV). The English word 'perhaps' is an interesting choice of words used here by the Apostle Paul and it means that he is uncertain of God's purpose or plan in Onesimus harsh rebellion, but he is certain of Onesimus present and his future here and in heaven, this word is translated by the Greek word tacha meaning by chance or peradventure or possibly or maybe. In other words, Paul knows that he cannot begin to understand the MIND of God and will only use his small human mind to wonder, as it is written by this same Apostle Paul to the Church @ Rome with these words speaking of the MIND of God, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who has known the MIND of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who first gave to Him, and it will be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to Him be glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:33-36) (MKJV).
Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of this verse (Philemon 1:15), "Not only so, but the word suggests that behind the slave's mutiny and flight there was another Will working, of which, in some sense, Onesimus was but the instrument He 'was parted' - not that he was not responsible for his flight, but that, through his act, which in the eyes of all concerned was wrong, Paul discerns as dimly visible a great Divine purpose. But he puts that as only a possibility: 'Perhaps he departed from thee.' He will not be too sure of what God means by such and such a thing, as some of us are wont to be, as if we had been sworn of God's privy council. 'Perhaps' is one of the hardest words for minds of a certain class to say; but in regard to all such subjects, and to many more, it is the motto of the wise man, and the shibboleth which sifts out the patient, modest lovers of truth from rash theorists and precipitate dogmatizers. Impatience of uncertainty is a moral fault which mars many an intellectual process; and its evil effects are nowhere more visible than in the field of theology. A humble 'perhaps' often grows into a 'verily, verily' - and a hasty, over-confident 'verily, verily,' often dwindles to a hesitating 'perhaps.' Let us not be in too great a hurry to make sure that we have the key of the cabinet where God keeps His purposes, but content ourselves with 'perhaps' when we are interpreting the often questionable ways of His providences, each of which has many meanings and many ends."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Philemon 1:13-15 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the Gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; KJV Note: MKJV = Modern King James Version
It was always like the Apostle Paul to try and do things in there proper order and things that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ would want him to do and that would please Him. Here we have a situation that maybe small or even insignificant to most people, but not to the Apostle Paul, for he knew that this man Onesimus did not belong with him any longer, yet he wanted to and was tempted to keep him there in Rome with him to minister the Gospel of Christ there as we see with these very next words in this letter, "Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the Gospel:" (Philemon 1:13) (KJV). Paul desired to have Onesimus remain there in Rome with him, but he knew that sending him back to Philemon would be the right thing to do, especially since now Onesimus has received Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul also knew that if Philemon himself were there in Rome, that he would help Paul in the minstering of the Gospel there, just as now Onesimus was doing instead. Onesimus had become such a beloved and faithful brother to the Apostle Paul that he wanted him to continue there that he would grow even more in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of this verse, "As Philemon was one of Paul's converts, he became thereby his spiritual father, and had a right to his services when in need. This was a strong argument, not only to induce Philemon to forgive his servant, but to send him back to the Apostle, that he might minister to him in his master's stead."
Next Paul shows his high regard and respect for Brother Philemon, even though as an Apostle he could have just commanded Philemon to receive back his slave Onesimus or commanded him to agree with Onesimus staying in Rome with Paul, but as we see with these next words Paul was courteous to Philemon for Christ sake showing his esteem and approval of such a wonderful loving saint of God, "But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly." (Philemon 1:14) (KJV). Paul never wanted to command this fellow brother 'in Christ' to do that which was the right thing to do, but instead he wanted him to respond to the will of God and voluntarily do that which was right for him and for Paul as well. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse, "If the Apostle had kept Onesimus in his service, and written to Philemon to forgive him and permit him to stay, to this it is probable he would have agreed; but the benefit thus conceded might have lost much of its real worth by the consideration that, had he been at Colosse, Philemon would not have sent him to Rome; but, being there and in the Apostle's service, he could not with propriety order him home: thus the benefit to the Apostle would have appeared to have been of necessity. The Apostle, therefore, by sending him back again, gave Philemon the opportunity to do all as if self-moved to it. This is a very delicate touch."
Paul declares to Brother Philemon that this act of revolt, resistance, and rebellion on the part of Onesimus when he stole from Philemon and ran away was the very thing that brought him to an encounter with the Living Christ and saved him for time and eternity, "For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;" (Philemon 1:15) (KJV). The English word 'perhaps' is an interesting choice of words used here by the Apostle Paul and it means that he is uncertain of God's purpose or plan in Onesimus harsh rebellion, but he is certain of Onesimus present and his future here and in heaven, this word is translated by the Greek word tacha meaning by chance or peradventure or possibly or maybe. In other words, Paul knows that he cannot begin to understand the MIND of God and will only use his small human mind to wonder, as it is written by this same Apostle Paul to the Church @ Rome with these words speaking of the MIND of God, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who has known the MIND of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who first gave to Him, and it will be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to Him be glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:33-36) (MKJV).
Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of this verse (Philemon 1:15), "Not only so, but the word suggests that behind the slave's mutiny and flight there was another Will working, of which, in some sense, Onesimus was but the instrument He 'was parted' - not that he was not responsible for his flight, but that, through his act, which in the eyes of all concerned was wrong, Paul discerns as dimly visible a great Divine purpose. But he puts that as only a possibility: 'Perhaps he departed from thee.' He will not be too sure of what God means by such and such a thing, as some of us are wont to be, as if we had been sworn of God's privy council. 'Perhaps' is one of the hardest words for minds of a certain class to say; but in regard to all such subjects, and to many more, it is the motto of the wise man, and the shibboleth which sifts out the patient, modest lovers of truth from rash theorists and precipitate dogmatizers. Impatience of uncertainty is a moral fault which mars many an intellectual process; and its evil effects are nowhere more visible than in the field of theology. A humble 'perhaps' often grows into a 'verily, verily' - and a hasty, over-confident 'verily, verily,' often dwindles to a hesitating 'perhaps.' Let us not be in too great a hurry to make sure that we have the key of the cabinet where God keeps His purposes, but content ourselves with 'perhaps' when we are interpreting the often questionable ways of His providences, each of which has many meanings and many ends."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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