Author: ShapedByTruth

to the jew first

In Romans 1:16 and Romans 2:10 Paul uses the phrase “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

This sets up a principle that interpretation of scripture should be through the lens of the Jews.

It is very popular nowadays to interpret scripture through the lens of greek language, culture, and influence.  This leads to gnosticism.

Scripture was written first to the Jews and also to the Greek (gentiles).  We can come to the intended conclusions if we interpret scripture through the lens of hebrew language, culture, and influence.

Keep in mind that the gentiles are the ones that are “grafted in” (Romans 11:17).  The gentiles are grafted into the Israelite inheritance, not a replacement for it.

Every knee shall bow

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isaiah 45:23

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Romans 14:11

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phillipians 2:10-11

death of self

Matthew 10:39
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2 Corinthians 4:10-17
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

the TRUTH will set you free

The way some happiness preachers talk you’d think the Bible says “Positive Confession will set you free”.

Thing is, the Bible doesn’t say that…

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

You see, the Truth is neither positive nor negative.  It is the Truth we read about in God’s Word that changes us and brings us closer to Him in both likeness and relationship.

Sometimes the truth is not always what we WANT to hear, but it is always what we NEED to hear.

why rome is wrong

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
1 Tim 4:1-3

It is a doctrine of devils to forbid to marry…  while it is fine for a person to choose to abstain from sex and marriage, it should not be a religious requirement (ie: priesthood, etc…)

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time
1 Tim 2:5-6

There is only ONE mediator, Christ Jesus…  you don’t need a priest, saint, queen of heaven, ascended master, dead ancestor, or a pope…

charismata

charismata is not the source of charismata…

Christ is the source of charismata…

What happens when charismata becomes the foundation you build on instead of Christ?  You have the same worldly-fleshly charismania that happended in Corinth.  Everyone is obsessed with experience instead of Messiah…

When you build on the wrong foundation, the structure crumbles…