Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
How can a "bad" person be righteous?
i think that's maybe howAnd the Pharisee knew what kind of man the publican was
Mat. 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
So who are the many?
Who are the chosen?
Chosen by whom? and how?...and for what?
“...few are chosen.” Look at the obvious in how God worked in the past. God always reduced His numbers of an army to show man the victory was indeed worked of God’s power... so that man can not say it is done of man, but of God. So, He takes the weak...few in number. Chosen for what?
Romans 11:28-36
[28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. [29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. [30] For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: [31] Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. [32] For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. [33] 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! [34] For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? [35] Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? [36] For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
But which few?
When there is no knowledge you have everyone claiming to be in the few. But for many of these they simply are taking a too high of a place.
Good verse there; interesting how good verses like this can seemingly be hidden in the middle of the Old Testament...Job 34:29-30
[29] When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: [30] That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
Job 34:29-30
[29] When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: [30] That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
Good verse there; interesting how good verses like this can seemingly be hidden in the middle of the Old Testament...
Job 34:29-30
[29] When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: [30] That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
Wow...this verse has hit me full on...I've been going through leanness, and just the last few days He brought me quietness. And I enjoyed it because I haven't had the quietness for...about 4-5 months. But I knew He would place me back in the leanness, because it has happened like this for years.
and the part of the verse that grabbed me is the part that says this is true, whether it's done against a nation o r only one man.
And then, the reason is give n, so that the people (or me) will not be a hypocrite and become ensnared.
So it's like this: when He gives me this quietness, I am fat and happy. And who then can make any trouble for my soul? No one can because He surrounds and envelop s me.
Then, He hides His face and I can't see Him/behold Him. And I trust He hasn't abandoned me because He has said it. But whereas before, nothing could make trouble for my soul, now I'm in a turmoil even APART from anyone else troubling me. Its...bitterness and turmoil And a strange darkness.
And I've known for awhile now that He is exercising my faith in this. But now I see also that He does it so I will not be a hypocrite and become ensnared.
He wants me to know and experience that when He hides, I am nothing, so that when He gives quietnezs, I do not forget that I am still nothing and that He Himself is that quietness.
And when I very young to Him, I always experienced the quietness and I did become puffed up and hypocritical, thinking I was being rewarded for seeking Him more than others. And the result was that He hid from me, which was a new and unwelcome experience.
And since then, it has been back and forth between quietness and leanness. And it's all done to protect me from...myself.
And during the leanness, no man has understood. When I say I can't pray and cannot even pick up my bible, they say I have to try harder. But it is Him hiding, not me making Him hide, and so to try to force myself into His presence would be unseemly.