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Similarly, calling someone a child or childish, offends that person maximally.
However, in the economy of Jesus this is not true and we may even find that the exact opposite is appropriate.
There is this cool, prophetic history in the book of Numbers (13 and 14) which resulted in Joshua and Caleb being the only ones from their generation to enter the promised land - Joshua and the dog ... and the children from the younger generation.
How is this significant?
It modifies the Good News into something man-made.
The Good-News-Message becomes the Message of Doom.
That is why Paul reprimanded the Galatians.
I can’t believe how you waver—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing an alternative message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I’ll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed. Galatians 1:6-9 MSG
What does it mean to waver?
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. It only makes sense in terms of the Finished Work of Christ.
The Gospel is the exclusive Good News! It is Jesus. If you try to fit another word in there somehow, it becomes something entirely different.
Think about it.
If the news you are getting has a hint of bad news, it is not God’s News anymore and the origin should immediately be questioned. I must be discarded immediately!
Even the slightest addition of dog poo will corrupt and make the best Swiss chocolate vulgar.
Be ready to check out the next post on the poo-free-Gospel.
Have you taken the time to look into when and how it is usually used by those who use it?
Have you applied your mind to something like this said?
Have you questioned it?
Well, in this post we’ll practice some logic discernment and investigate the matter.
Others will testify how they miraculously escaped near death and through this, God gives them a second chance.
Some will tell you that God created some incident in their lives to give them a second chance.
Yet, others will tell you how God gave them three, four or any number of chances in life.
Phew!
I have serious concerns with these kinds of testimony.
The problem is that we have been brainwashed through the years by the institutional church to believe that sin is a verb and only a verb, speaking to our actions or lack thereof.
In contrast the Greek word used in the New Testament is much more explicit, using it as a noun. Sin is a condition rather than an action.
The problem is our understanding of sin
Sin is a condition, a sickness, a state … (see this post)
I usually do not quote single verses out of context, but during my run I developed this deep desire to look at what the original words communicate.
This is the verse: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Simple!
But loaded.
Yet, easily corruptible by the law-preacher.
Test the spirit!
Why? Because there are so many. And only one to listen to.
Paul is specific.
The fight is not carnal.
It is spiritual.
Why?
