October 17, 2018

Bible Reading October 17, 18 by Gary Rose


Bible Reading October 17, 18

World English Bible

Oct. 17
Proverbs 24-26

Pro 24:1 Don't be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:
Pro 24:2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.
Pro 24:3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
Pro 24:4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
Pro 24:5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
Pro 24:6 for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.
Pro 24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate.
Pro 24:8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
Pro 24:9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
Pro 24:10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
Pro 24:11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
Pro 24:12 If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
Pro 24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
Pro 24:14 so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off.
Pro 24:15 Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting place:
Pro 24:16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
Pro 24:17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
Pro 24:18 lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Pro 24:19 Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:
Pro 24:20 for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
Pro 24:21 My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious:
Pro 24:22 for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both--who knows?
Pro 24:23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
Pro 24:24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him--
Pro 24:25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
Pro 24:26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
Pro 24:27 Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
Pro 24:28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips.
Pro 24:29 Don't say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
Pro 24:30 I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Pro 24:31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
Pro 24:32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
Pro 24:33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;
Pro 24:34 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.

Pro 25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Pro 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Pro 25:3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Pro 25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
Pro 25:5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Pro 25:6 Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
Pro 25:7 for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
Pro 25:8 Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
Pro 25:9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don't betray the confidence of another;
Pro 25:10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
Pro 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Pro 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
Pro 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Pro 25:14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
Pro 25:15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
Pro 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Pro 25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
Pro 25:18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Pro 25:19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
Pro 25:20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Pro 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
Pro 25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
Pro 25:23 The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
Pro 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Pro 25:25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Pro 25:26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
Pro 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
Pro 25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

Pro 26:1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Pro 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
Pro 26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
Pro 26:4 Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
Pro 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Pro 26:6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
Pro 26:7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Pro 26:8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
Pro 26:9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Pro 26:10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
Pro 26:11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
Pro 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Pro 26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"
Pro 26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
Pro 26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
Pro 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
Pro 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
Pro 26:18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
Pro 26:19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
Pro 26:20 For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
Pro 26:21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
Pro 26:22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
Pro 26:23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
Pro 26:24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
Pro 26:25 When his speech is charming, don't believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Pro 26:26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Pro 26:27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
Pro 26:28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Oct. 18
Proverbs 27-29

Pro 27:1 Don't boast about tomorrow; for you don't know what a day may bring forth.
Pro 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Pro 27:3 A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.
Pro 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Pro 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Pro 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Pro 27:7 A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
Pro 27:8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.
Pro 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man's friend.
Pro 27:10 Don't forsake your friend and your father's friend. Don't go to your brother's house in the day of your disaster: better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother.
Pro 27:11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
Pro 27:12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
Pro 27:13 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
Pro 27:14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.
Pro 27:15 A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
Pro 27:16 restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
Pro 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance.
Pro 27:18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.
Pro 27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.
Pro 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man's eyes are never satisfied.
Pro 27:21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
Pro 27:22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
Pro 27:23 Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds:
Pro 27:24 for riches are not forever, nor does even the crown endure to all generations.
Pro 27:25 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
Pro 27:26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.
Pro 27:27 There will be plenty of goats' milk for your food, for your family's food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.

Pro 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Pro 28:2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
Pro 28:3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
Pro 28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
Pro 28:5 Evil men don't understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
Pro 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
Pro 28:7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Pro 28:8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
Pro 28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
Pro 28:10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
Pro 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
Pro 28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
Pro 28:13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Pro 28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Pro 28:15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
Pro 28:16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
Pro 28:17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.
Pro 28:18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
Pro 28:19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Pro 28:20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
Pro 28:21 To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
Pro 28:22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him.
Pro 28:23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
Pro 28:24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer.
Pro 28:25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
Pro 28:26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
Pro 28:27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
Pro 28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.

Pro 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
Pro 29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Pro 29:3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Pro 29:4 The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
Pro 29:5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
Pro 29:6 An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
Pro 29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren't concerned about knowledge.
Pro 29:8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
Pro 29:9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
Pro 29:10 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
Pro 29:11 A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
Pro 29:12 If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
Pro 29:13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both.
Pro 29:14 The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
Pro 29:15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
Pro 29:16 When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
Pro 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
Pro 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
Pro 29:19 A servant can't be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
Pro 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Pro 29:21 He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
Pro 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
Pro 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
Pro 29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
Pro 29:25 The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
Pro 29:26 Many seek the ruler's favor, but a man's justice comes from Yahweh.
Pro 29:27 A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.


Oct. 17
Philippians 2

Php 2:1 If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
Php 2:2 make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
Php 2:3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
Php 2:4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Php 2:5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Php 2:6 who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;
Php 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
Php 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Php 2:12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputes,
Php 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
Php 2:16 holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain.
Php 2:17 Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.
Php 2:18 In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.
Php 2:19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.
Php 2:20 For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.
Php 2:21 For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.
Php 2:22 But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.
Php 2:23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me.
Php 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly.
Php 2:25 But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;
Php 2:26 since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.
Php 2:27 For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
Php 2:28 I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Php 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor,
Php 2:30 because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

Oct. 18
Philippians 3

Php 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.
Php 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
Php 3:4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
Php 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
Php 3:7 However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
Php 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
Php 3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;
Php 3:11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Php 3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.
Php 3:17 Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
Php 3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,
Php 3:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.
Php 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
Php 3:21 who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.

Wars and Rumors of Wars by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/wars.html

Wars and Rumors of Wars
Man likes to forget how evil he is. War is a grim reminder. “Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known” (Romans 3:15-17).
In Paul’s time the swiftest means of bloodshed was a horse-drawn war chariot or a Roman galley, rowed by slaves. Man has come far since then.
Now he sits in his comfortable control room and directs a rocket to the far side of the earth. From a plane he drops bombs and watches the smoke of destruction billowing toward the sky. He only hears the whine of the engines. He’s too far away to hear the moaning and the weeping of those left alive in the rubble. From a hovering helicopter he rains deadly bullets on his fellow man. A pilot in Vietnam had painted on his helicopter: “Killing is our business. Business is fine.”
Yes, man has come far since Paul’s day. “Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known.”
In Old Testament times even God’s people were involved in war. They longed for peace, just as we do. Through Isaiah, God made a promise. He spoke of a time when the word of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem and God’s people would learn war no more (Isaiah 2:3, 4).
God sent His Son to teach us the ways of peace. Two thousand years have passed. Millions give lip service to His words but few really do what He says.
What does Jesus say about war? “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6, 7).
“Wars and rumors of wars,” that’s human history in a nutshell. When men are not fighting a war, they are preparing for one.
And being troubled is the natural reaction to war. When we recall the destruction of recent wars, when we consider the possibility - if not the probability - that nuclear weapons will be used again, our hearts skip a beat and our blood runs cold.
Yet Jesus says: “See that you are not troubled,” “Do not be afraid.” How is this possible? How can we remain calm?
The answer is found in the basic attitudes Jesus taught us to have toward God, toward this world, and toward our fellow man.
War does not alarm a Christian because he trusts in the providence of God.
With the Psalmist we can say: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1, 2).
“Do not be afraid.” These words appear more than 25 times in the New Testament.
Even in difficult days the Christian knows, “that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35). “So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6).
The words of Jesus are written on our hearts: “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Luke 8:50).
Our Lord is Ruler of the kings of the earth. What does the King of kings and Lord of lords tell us? “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled” (Mark 13:7).
War does not alarm a Christian because his mind is not set on earthly things.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3).
A Christian is not devoted to possessions. Many people loose their lives in times of war because they try to save their goods.
In connection with the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus told His disciples to leave their possessions behind: “Let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes” (Matthew 24:16-18).
Christians are not to be alarmed by war, but they are instructed to flee the dangers of war, without regard for their goods.
When a Christian’s property is destroyed or confiscated, he does not react as worldly people do. We read in Hebrews 10:34, “You had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.”
A Christian is not alarmed at the loss of his property because his true wealth cannot be taken away. His treasures are in heaven.
Because a Christian sets his mind on things above, he is not even devoted to his physical life.
Jesus says in Luke 12:4, 5: “My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”
A Christian has already died to this world in Christ. He has eternal life. He is not dismayed at the thought of being killed, because his life is hid with Christ in God.
War is a carnival of Satan. But Satan has no power over a Christian. “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death’” (Revelation 12:10, 11).
With Paul, a Christian can say: “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself” (Acts 20:24). “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
A Christian does not war against his fellowman, even for spiritual values, much less for physical life or worldly goods, because his citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Jesus told Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).
A Christian does not war against his fellowman because he is engaged in a nobler battle, a battle, not against nations or men, but against evil. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3, 4).
Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
The armor of God protects us against the evils of war:
The Christian is not deceived by the false propaganda of war, because his waist is girded with truth.
He is not carried along with the unrighteousness of war, because he wears the breastplate of righteousness.
He has peace in the midst of war, because his feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
He is not overcome by doubt, because he holds the shield of faith.
He does not fear destruction, because he wears the helmet of salvation.
He does not dread the sword of man, because he wields the sword of the Spirit.
War is an attempt to overcome evil with evil, at best; or at worst, an attempt to overcome good with evil. A Christian can overcome evil with good because he sets his mind on things above. “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).
War does not alarm a Christian because he trusts in the providence of God. His mind is not set on things of this world. He is not enslaved to possessions or even to physical life. His citizenship is in heaven. He overcomes evil with good. With this mentality, he is able to obey the command of Christ: “When you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified” (Luke 21:9).
A Christian is not alarmed by war because he loves his fellowman.
Motivated by this love, he is a peacemaker, not a warmonger. And when does the world need peacemakers more than in times of war. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
In 1 John 4:18 we read: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” Hate for our enemies makes us afraid. When we love our enemies and do good to them, we foil Satan and overcome fear.
How should we treat our enemies? Are we to shoot them? Drop bombs on their cities? Destroy or pollute their water supply? What does Jesus tell us? “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48). With this attitude toward our enemies, war becomes a special opportunity to do good and to demonstrate to the world that we are truly followers of Christ.
Peter had trouble learning this lesson.
He was ready to fight and die for Jesus. He drew his sword to defend Christ, and he cut off a man’s ear.
Jesus reprimanded Peter and healed the man - someone who came out to arrest Him so He could be crucified.
Peter had learned to love his Lord. But he had not yet learned to love his enemy. And because of that weak love, he was afraid - so afraid that he denied Christ three times to avoid admitting that he had been in the garden.
Like Peter, many Christians have learned to love the Lord but they have not yet learned to love their enemies. They place more trust in worldly force than in the providence of God. And they are afraid of war.
Christians who wage war have reason to be afraid. The warning Jesus gave to Peter also applies to them: “Put your sword in its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). This principle is repeated in Revelation 13:10: “He who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword.”
Peter learned his lesson. After learning to trust in God and love his enemies, he did battle with the sword of the Spirit. And many years later he penned these words: “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin nor was guile found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:19-23).
“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled” (1 Peter 3:13,14).
What is the Christian attitude to war?
Wars and rumors of wars: automatic rifles, tanks, helicopters, planes, missiles, land mines and bombs. War will be with us until that Day when the Father says, “Enough!” and a new age begins.
Meanwhile Christians are not troubled. We trust in the providence of God. Our treasures are in heaven. Our physical life is not precious to us if only we may serve the Lord during the time He gives us. For us, to live is Christ and to die is gain. We fight the good fight of faith. With our whole heart we fight against evil by doing good. We love our enemies, and follow Christ to the cross, and beyond the cross to the eternal city where rumors of wars shall be heard no more.
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:6-13).

Roy Davison
The Scripture quotations in this article are from The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers unless indicated otherwise. Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Can we get rid of punishment? by Jim McGuiggan

https://web.archive.org/web/20160426085812/http://jimmcguiggan.com/nonbelievers2.asp?id=35

Can we get rid of punishment?

Some sensitive and caring people think the very notion of "punishment" is spiteful and vengeful and they’d like to be rid of the concept altogether. More than the concept, they’d like society to be rid of the practice. There should be no punishment for anyone.
Hmmm. But what are we to do with people who are viciously disruptive and who inflict pain and loss on the innocent? What of those we have solid reasons to believe will continue to inflict injury on the defenseless? These caring people insist we should deal with such people but that it shouldn’t be by punishing them. We should cure them by changing them and this would be a long-term deterrent but in the meantime, if we must, we will isolate them from society and that will deter them in the short-term. But while we have them isolated from society as a short term deterrent we should work with them in various ways to understand them and condition them so as to change them and thus rehabilitate them.
It doesn’t matter much to these fine people how we phrase the notion of punishment—as soon as we speak of someone "deserving" some administered unpleasantness (whatever form it takes) we’re on the wrong track. Whatever it takes, however we express it or reflect on it the notion of punishment is to be got rid of. The word itself derives, finally, from penalty and so rightly understood someone has offended (in some form) and in response to that offense some authorized personnel have intentionally inflicted some unpleasantness on the offender as retribution.
The two concepts that matter to these people in dealing with offenders are that society be protected and that the offender be personally helped to leave his/her socially unacceptable behavior behind. These people don’t say the behavior is good or that it doesn’t matter, and it’s untrue to say they are without sympathy toward the victims; they simply claim that inflicting pain or loss on an offender is spite and vengefulness baptized by society and made to look good.
But thoughtful people, just as caring as these, have continued to tell us for many years that it is immoral to dispense with the notion of "retribution" and forcibly deprive people of their liberty against their will. If they have done nothing to "deserve" our putting them in a place that will subject them to our "healing" they should not be there. If we say to some innocent bystander, "We are going to put you in a (sort of) hospital to help free you from your socially unacceptable behavior" we won’t be surprised if he/she objects. If we use barely enough (but enough) restraint to take him to that place—this perfectly innocent bystander—it won’t matter to him/her that it will have nice accommodation, food, personnel and surroundings. When they strenuously insist that they have done nothing wrong and should not be shanghaied into such a place they will make sense to every thinking person in the world except those that have abducted them.
Enforced remedial treatment can only be remedial if first it is warranted! It cannot possibly be remedial if it isn’t warranted or "earned". We can only morally attempt to cure "the sick" if we know him to be sick. We can only forcibly attempt to rehabilitate a known offender. To forcibly "treat" a non-offender is not only illegal and immoral it’s also absurd. And we forcibly treat the offender precisely because he/she has offended. Whatever our motives (and they may be the purest under heaven) the forcible treatment in response to wrongdoing (whether wrongdoing is defined in legal, social or moral terms) has the nature of penalty. "You did this and in light of that and as a response to that we are compelled to do what we are about to do."
And if we’re so sensitive that we must absolutely jettison all idea of penalty then we are enforcing society’s will on an unwilling person. A person who, according to our own claim, does not deserve what is happening to him. "No one in the world can deserve what we’re about to do to you but we’re going to do it without your consent." A "treatment" can’t be remedial unless the offender believes it is "deserved" otherwise he/she will see it as unjust. And if the offender smarts under the injustice of it all then it’s no remedy.
And it really doesn’t help if we say that the enforced "cure" is not punishment or penalty. It robs the individual of all that makes life pleasant to him/her. If he asks, "Are you depriving me of freedom and family because I did this or that?" the answer would have to be yes. So while we wish to avoid the word "punishment" we are doing to that man or woman what philosopher Anthony Flew has judiciously defined as punishment. See Penal Substitution.
So we subject this person against his/her will to what is unpleasant to them because they have offended all the while insisting that they don’t deserve what we’re doing; all the while we tell them, "If we were to punish you we would be barbarians."
And if the offender were to ask, "Are you doing this as a deterrent to others?" and we were to say yes, that would only make matters worse. This is being enforced on him/her against their wills even though it isn’t merited (for no one in the world merits "punishment"). And now they’re told it’s to keep others from doing the same kinds of things. Now, though "deserving" nothing they are used as a means to an end. Hmmm.

Have You Been Washed in the Blood of the Lamb? by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/05/page/7/

There is good in every sinner, and evil in every Christian. The difference is that every Christian has forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ, and the sinner doesn’t. Are you free from the burden of sin? Have you been washed in the blood of the lamb, by your obedience to the gospel of Christ?
Col 1:14; Acts 20:28; Rom 3:24,25; Eph 1:7; Tit 2:14; Heb 9:12; 1 Pet 1:18-20; 1 Jn 2:2; 1 Jn 4:10; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Rom 10:17; Rom 10:10; Acts 2:38; Rev 2:10