Growing and learning.
For many of us, this paper was our first introduction to Bible-Truths.com and L Ray Smith. We know
this forum was setup primarily to discuss and then expand Scripturally on the teaching by Ray. Some
were dragged here from the desert, others from babylon, even some who had lost their way before
getting started. Unbelief and of idols Christendom or catholicism and its off shoots, crime, dissipation
and many un-named sins of the flesh or mind.
Now that we are here and have seen the Light; no matter how dimly (still blinding compared to the world).
We do need to stick with The Word daily and become real Bereans, in our zeal for Jesus Christ.
Your comments or observations are what help all of us to learn and grow, so do not be shy to step up.Why you ask:
Because: Jesus Says
Mat 13:44 (MKJV)Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which when a man has found it, he hides it, and for the joy of it goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Mat 13:45-46 (MKJV)45 Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls;
46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Mat 13:47-50 (MKJV)47 Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered some of every kind;
48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.
49 So it shall be at the end of the world. The angels shall come out and separate the wicked from among the just,
50 and shall cast them into the furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. http://bible-truths.com/fools.htmExcerpt from: "You Fools! You Hypocrites! You Snakes!"
There is a time for humor and there is a time to get serious. Sarcasm can be serious business. Well did Isaiah prophesy of such:
"Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us SMOOTH things, prophesy DECEITS" (Isa. 30:10).
I would rather sound a little angry or sarcastic than to teach smooth and deceitful things. Even Isaiah used colorful language, "speak unto us smooth things." Could this be the origin of "smooth talkers?"
I'm not sure why it is automatically assumed that if one sounds angry there is something wrong with his message. When speaking of immoral and evil things that hurt and deceive people, it behooves us to be ANGRY about such things. Anger does not have to be a sin. God’s anger is mentioned a couple of hundreds times in Scripture. Many of the teachings of the Church are not only evil, but they are stupid and foolish. Sarcasm is often the perfect exposer of stupidity.
SARCASM—OLD AND NEW
I have two favorite Scriptural sarcasms which I find to be sheer genius. One in the Old Testament, and one in the New. The first is from I Kings 18:21-39. Elijah told the people that they should choose two bullocks and place them on two altars of wood. He then said:
"And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answers by fire, let him be God"
They all agreed, and so the priests of Baal went first:
"And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O BAAL, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they LEAPED upon the altar which was made.
And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is on a journey, or peradventure he sleeps, and must be wakened.
I think we should read this verse from The Living Bible:
"About noontime, Elijah began mocking them. ‘You’ll have to shout louder than that,’ he scoffed, ‘to catch the attention of your god! Perhaps he is talking to someone, or is out sitting on the toilet, or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be wakened.’"
And the priests of Baal, being as stupid as stupid can be, obeyed Elijah’s mocking sarcasm:
"And they CRIED ALOUD… there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded."
Remember that God Himself inspired Elijah to mock the priests of Baal with these jeering and demeaning epithets. He went so far as to suggest that maybe their god was "sitting on the toilet" or so exhausted he "fell asleep." And they were too stupid to even know that Elijah was making public spectacles and fools out of them. But Christians assure me that God doesn’t mock. Excuse me, but I did find this scenario IN THE BIBLE! And let’s not forget this:
"ALL Scripture is given by inspiration OF GOD [as in: ‘Elijah began mocking them… perhaps he {the god of Baal}… is out SITTING ON THE TOILET], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim. 3:16).
This is not just Elijah taunting the priests of Baal; this is GOD HIMSELF telling Elijah under inspiration: Tell the priests of Ball that "…perhaps your god is out SITTING ON THE TOILET." God in heaven Himself inspired Elijah to speak that delightful phrase to these pagan priests. What a remarkable insight into the personality of God Almighty.
And ALL these events were preserved for us:
"Now ALL these things happened unto them for examples: and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (I Cor. 10:11).
TO WHOM CHRIST WAS COMMISSIONED
Let’s realize a few axioms before we examine Christ’s actual words. Jesus taught the people of Israel, the Jews, the people around Galilee and Jerusalem, who were all religious people and followed the law of Moses. Jesus’ most stinging words were to the religious leaders and rulers of Judaism. On the very few occasions where Jesus even spoke to a non-Jew, He often expressed the greatest admiration for their faith, rather than condemnation for being Gentiles. After all, how much faith did Jesus find among His Own people?
It is essential that we keep in mind to whom Jesus preached. Jesus did NOT berate the atheists or pagan Romans in Judea for their sins, but rather "The lost sheep of the House of Israel." That is, the Jews—the commandment-keeping people of Judea.
If Jesus were to come to America today and preach His Gospel Message, little would have changed except for one prophesied difference. Everything has gotten even worse than it was 2000 years ago.
"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (II Tim. 3:13).
george.
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Topic: Boot Camp for Saviours (Read 6403 times)