Context is KING and so is Jesus. As the Word made flesh, Jesus was not at a loss for words when he began to pray about His Passion and for His disciples, who in a little over 50 days from Jesus’ prayer in John 17, would be sent out into the world on their own, to do greater works than Jesus did (John 14:12). Well, appearances can be deceiving! Before we continue examining Jesus prayer, we need to finish our look at the context of 2 Corinthians 6:17, like we promised last time.

Like all good lies, it started as a little thing!

PART 1

A Serpents Tale (NOT)

Like all good lies, it started as a little thing! The master of deception doing what he does best. Just in case you don’t know the story, here is the introductory part from the Bible:

In the world, not of the world! Well, if ever there was an oxymoron contest, that statement must surely take the cake. If you didn’t know the Bible very well, one could think this is a contradiction. How is it possible for human beings to be in the world and not of the world at the same time? Answer: JESUS! As we like to say, that is the short answer. Some people will tell you that is all the answer we need and that we must take it on blind faith that Jesus is the answer. Well, you know what Jesus Himself said about the blind leading the blind. Jesus never demanded blind faith of His disciples or anyone else. As a matter of fact, Jesus encouraged people to ask questions!

(Part 2 and Conclusion)

(As part of a series entitled “Out of the Fire and Into the Skillet”)

A LIVING LOVE LETTER

2 Corinthians 3:3
“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

(As part of a series entitled “Out of the Fire and Into the Skillet”)
Luke 7:34
“The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!”

Hum! Jesus, friend of sinners. When I consider the events surrounding Luke 7:34, which would include the entirety of the Gospel accounts, I am forced to ask myself the following question:

Matthew 12:31 King James Version (KJV)
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”

Far be it from me to write a controversial article about religion. Ha! Ha! That is the old-fashioned way of saying LOL! This is the beginning of a new series of articles which will be called: “Out of the Skillet and into the Fire.”

Gee, wished I was as smart as you all!

Then, I wouldn’t believe in God either. What a life we could then have. Let us eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.1 If it feels good, do it! After all, when we die we cease to exist.

Seems like everyone has a Twitter, Facebook or some kind of social media account, well everyone except me. Thus far, I have avoided social media platforms, unless of course, you count the occasional religious article like this. But, I do read and listen to a lot of news, much of it digital. So even though I have no social media accounts, I still have exposure to everyone else’s social media rants via the news. I liken social media to the 1970s phenomenon of “Streaking”. Sooner or later you are going to get flashed! “Look out Ethel” If you don’t get the reference look up Ray Stevens song, “The Streak”.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
[14] If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

We have been studying God’s Covenant with mankind, in particular the “Terms and Conditions.” In the previous two editions of this subject we first examined the “Verbal Agreement” between God and man. Next, we examined the “Terms and Conditions” of the “Written Agreement”. This written agreement is commonly known as the “Ten Commandments.” Nearly every Christian is familiar with the Ten Commandments; however, most don’t know or have conveniently forgotten that there are “Terms and Conditions” attached to God’s Law.