Biblical Prayer of the Saints
Biblical Prayer of The Saints
This Blog is written in the fear of our Lord that not one word be written in error but show forth the truth which is the very word of God. “ For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart..Hebrews 4:12 KJV. This Blog is also written in the supreme authority of agape and phileo love and in the power of that love that Christ showed us by his perfect sacrifice and ministry. Please read my Blog, I love you in the Notes below. And finally, this Blog is written as a bulwark against the flood of false teaching running rampant in the world today. A strong rebuke to those who profess to know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16 KJV.
These false teachers are accursed by God for preaching a false Gospel, for not loving Jesus Christ Galatians 1;8,9 KJV; 1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV .
Here’s where we begin.
Prayer is the most important, critical function in the life of the Saint, its value and importance are beyond measure. Paul tells Saints to pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV. Two key verses that describe our position and communication with the Lord are in my opinion found in: Ephesians 2:6-8 KJV and 2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV. When we are born again, we are literally raised up together with Christ and made to sit in heavenly place IN Christ Jesus. In our human form we walk in this fallen world as ambassadors for Christ. We have to know this within the very depths of our hearts. Our communication takes place 24/7. We reach all aspects and levels of prayer that are beyond the human mind to comprehend. And the subject of prayer is a tremendous battlefield the enemy attacks without stop.
Ephesians 2:6-8 KJV
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
We know our position, we know we communicate through prayer and now we must know how to pray according to the word of God. Why would a Saint pray that which is contrary to the written word? God Forbid!
We know our authority comes as Ambassadors studying the word of God to be approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. prove ourselves as good workmen approved unto God by rightly dividing the word of God.
2 Timothy 2:15 King James Version
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Rightly dividing the word (DISPENSATIONS) is knowing we are in the Age of Grace which was revealed to Paul and written by his gospel which is found clearly in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV
Romans 16:25 KJV
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,”
The Gospel given to Paul from Direct Revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12 KJV)
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV
15 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
When it comes to prayer, the inevitable question of biblical love and biblical hatred in intercessory to imprecatory prayers of the Saints, brings out all of the false teachers proclaiming their misguided “group love and hugs” with their unbiblical sappy, effeminate love bug Jesus who overlooks sin.
Today on every google search regarding God, Satan ensures his agents promote their false teaching through intensive Search Engine Optimization and lists their garbage at the top of each search. Some are extreme, some very crafty and quiet to mix in their lies with truth. Please see notes below of an example of a wolf in sheep’s clothing Jeremy Myers of Redeeming God Ministries (the very title of his false ministry is blasphemous) telling us that Paul’s words of imprecatory prayer are only a “play on words” and actually do not really mean what Paul clearly says.
A few days ago, a newly found acquaintance of mine met for coffee. From the initial conversation, we both seemed to share commonly held beliefs. Things were rolling along quite nicely until he told me he is a devout follower of a nationally recognized megachurch pastor. When I told my friend his role model is a false teacher and promoter of Ecumenism, Dominion Theology and teaches a false gospel, and last but not least teaches from a perverted Bible translation, the conversation soon changed into a heavy ladened experience.
Among no less than 10 serious issues ranging from errant eschatology, no understanding or belief in different bible dispensations, errant bible translations, dominion theology, ecumenism, tithing, etc. with this mega-church reprobate teacher, my friend made a statement about this pastor that has not let me go for the past few days. I’m thoroughly baffled why a comment by my friend would haunt me. Whenever in my Christian walk, I am unable to shake and walk away from something, I’ve come to learn the Holy Spirit is doing a deeper work in my life.
The statement: “My pastor has many opponents of which are Christians and many prominent Christian leaders. And my pastor prays every day for these pastors.”
I thought to myself how sophisticated and crafty are these false teachers. How brazen and lost to think of themselves as piously praying for others’ eyes to be opened or who knows what they’re praying for, or if they truly are even praying and blessing their opponents at all of which we can never truly know for sure. And at which point I find myself out of my pay grade and hand this over to the Lord.
I then said, without thinking, “why would this man ever pray for someone speaking out against him?” (In retrospect I realize my question was inspired by the shock of an apostate heretic using the word of God in such a pious way, and or how could this person be so deceived to believe God would have to change someone’s heart who was speaking the truth, and or, what would the words of this man’s prayer be other than an imprecation (which would be contrary to Romans 12:14) or that God opens the eyes of a man speaking out truthfully against him? In any case, it was shocking this reprobate would be sincerely believing in his heart that he is praying for God’s will. My point is, why would a man pray for God to go against the written word of God? This proves my point of how lost this megachurch pastor truly is.
My friend’s response. “Because Jesus commands us to bless and pray for those who persecute us.”
I clarified his “Jesus commands us” as found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:44 KJV) and my friend agreed. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
When I informed my friend that the Beatitudes - unless repeated in application to the Pauline Epistles - are not written for direct application for the church age, my friend’s face became contorted with pain and shock and then… undefined. The scripture of Ezekiel 2:6 KJV comes to mind.. Quickly I realized and he confirmed he is a “Jesus' says only believer". * Note: As a believer in dispensationalism which is rightly dividing the word of truth, I am not a hyper-dispensationalist who believes Christians only read and follow the Pauline Epistles. God forbid. We are clearly told that All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 KJV
And just as we have hyper dispensationalists we have hyper read only the words spoken by Christ. These are the so-called Christians who through blind or wilful ignorance believe in only the words spoken by Jesus in the red letter quotes and that the Pauline Epistles are not applicable as Christian doctrine. These are called the “Jesus Words Only”
Jesus’ words only aka red-letter only believers.
https://www.jesuswordsonly.com/recommendedreading/786-history-of-jesus-words-only-canon-movement.html
I knew my friend had no knowledge nor did he want to know about dispensation and now it was clear he was being taught that the Pauline Epistles were nothing more than peripheral background information to the final authority of the words of Jesus Christ. Even though I tried to show my friend that Paul’s gospel was a direct revelation from Jesus Christ to usher in the hidden mystery of the church (Romans 16:25 KJV) my friend’s mind was completely closed.
I tried to show him that if the Kingdom Dispensation of the ministry of Jesus, like the Beatitudes is repeated in the mystery given to Paul in the Pauline Epistles, it applies directly to the church, and if not, it does not apply.. Period!
Even reading out loud portions of the Beatitudes, for example if you call your brother a fool, you’re damned to hell, to show my friend this does not apply to the age of Grace did not change his mind.
Additionally even though Matthew 5:44 KJV of the Beatitudes is repeated in part in the Pauline Epistles -Romans 12:14 KJV - it is not directly applicable to the church age since Romans 12:14 KJV is talking about Christians persecuting Christians. See notes below regarding Romans. However, we see in 1 Timothy 2:1 KJV is a closer scripture to Matthew 5:44 KJV. refers to all people. However, in close scrutiny we see that Matthew 5:4 KJV is clearly written within the Kingdom dispensation context meaning we are commanded to bless our enemies as a condition to entering the kingdom of God.
We find that 1 Timothy 2:1 KJV that we Christians are definitely commanded to pray for all men, verse 2 of Chapter 2 is specifically for our Government leaders, irregardless of their religious beliefs, and bless those who persecute us Romans 12:14 KJV and comfort our enemies by food and drink (and this heaps hot coals on their heads meaning they are now under God’s divine vengeance). Romans 12:20 KJV. Although we are not commanded to do this to enter the Kingdom as were the hearers of the Kingdom Dispensation, we are as Christians required to love and pray for and bless. Add forgive which is another subject also needing to be scrutinized by dispensation and in the audience within the same contexts as prayer and blessing. But to what extent exactly and to whom?
Aside from the absurdity of a heretic praying for someone speaking out against them in truth using the word of God, I began to thoroughly understand that I personally needed to study and to apprehend God’s will for us to pray for and bless others. This also includes imprecations (spoken curse as given in scripture) in our prayer as did Christ, The Prophets, David in the Pslams, the Apostles, and Paul. See links and notes below including Harmonizing Biblical Love and Hate.) upon those who shipwreck the gospel (1 Timothy 1:19, 20 KJV) given to Paul in Romans 16:25 KJV. In my study, I wrote out here the specific categories with specifically applicable scripture when we believers are required to pray for and bless others or pray imprecations.
Relationship Related Scripture
* Note 1 Timothy 2:2 KJV Paul places specific emphasis on our Government authority needing prayer, irregardless of their spiritual state, keeping in mind that God sets up and removes kings for his purpose. Amen!
Addressing each category:
The most obvious in the chart are the two extremes that are most strongly addressed in scripture. The in the middle groups are mentioned and noteworthy, but not as impassioned as the far extremes.
Believers who do not persecute the Body of Christ: We can see clearly “Throughout the entire Bible” we are commanded and are spiritually inspired to pray continually for our fellow Saints. In fact we pray without ceasing. Just as the body of Christ exists similar to the physical body, we know that when our back aches, our entire body feels it to where even minor parts like a sore finger affect our whole feeling in a similar manner to a major part of our body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 KJV refers. Just recently I found myself driven to prayer for a Brother in Christ that came strongly to my heart completely out of the blue.
Believers who persecute the Body of Christ : On the other hand, of the obvious of praying for those in the Body of Christ with whom we have no contention, I have been driven to deep intercessory prayer for fellow Christians I am sure are saved, but walking deeply in the flesh, I have prayed for them even after suffering persecution from them, sometimes severe. My prayer has been that God opens their eyes and gone deeper in prayer to make sure I am not in error in any way. I also know that many times Christians have prayed for me when I’ve gotten in the flesh and responded in carnal ways. If I suffer persecution by a fellow Christian I know is in deep doctrinal error and refuses to open their eyes by willful stubbornness, I have prayed that God uses whatever means necessary to wake them up and in extreme cases will pray an imprecation as Paul did to a member of the Church in Corinth. Imprecation of 1 Corinthians 5:1,5 KJV.
Non Believer who does not persecute the Body of Christ: I have been driven to deep intercessory prayer for lost souls whom I love and have a relationship with including relatives, co-workers, associations. About 15 years ago I went into a 3 day time of fasting and prayer for a dear friend who rejected Jesus Christ as their savior. At times, I as have all Saints, have asked the Lord to do whatever necessary to save our unsaved loved ones.
Non Believer who persecutes the Body of Christ: This one is the most difficult and honestly I have prayed in these instances that God opens their eyes. Whenever they’ve done great damage to hinder my testimony or cause serious harm to me or my family, or the body of Christ, I’ve openly prayed that God would avenge me and I’ve asked God to intervene on my behalf in the ways and manners, and words of the imprecation Psalms and Jesus used and Paul. I sincerely treat ravenous wolves, false teachers who are obviously in a non-fruit bearing state of apostasy as I would a Non-Believer to persecutes the Body of Christ and shipwrecks the Gospel and therefore imprecations of Paul as witnessed in 1 Timothy 1:19,20 KJV; 1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV; Galatians 1:8,9 KJV; Matthew Chapters 12 and 13 (The Kingdom offer withdrawn and the curse has been placed upon unrepentant Israel) Mark 11:12-14KJV; John 8:42-47; The imprecation Psalms, for example, Psalms 35 and 137 among many more. Romans 9:13 KJV; Malachi 1:3 Etc. Please read notes below on harmonizing biblical love and hate. Including Imprecations of a Christian prayer warrior based on scripture. This is where we find most hypocritical lukewarm Christians and false teachers who would never admit praying an imprecation, but rather as the Pharisee see themselves as pious and holy never uttering a word but love (a false love) whitewashed sepulchres, covering dead bones of Matthew 23 imprecations of Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees.
NOTES
I Love you
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2020/11/httpsyoutube9xgayoymt4y.html
Deep study of the Epistles regarding prayer for others.
The Book of First Timothy King James Version opens with Paul straightway advising young Timothy about false teachers perverting the Gospel. Paul ends Chapter one by turning over Hymenaeus and Alexander, over to Satan for teaching another gospel. Then in Chapter 2 verse one he writes that we’re to pray for all men. Let’s read: “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of who is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 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. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
End Quote.
We read that in one breath Paul smacks down and speaks a curse upon a Reprobates who have done great damage to the Gospel then he tells Timothy we Christians are to pray for all men. This tells us clearly we see separations and groupings of who were dealing with.
God as does Paul take false teachers, fakes who are ravenous wolves very seriously. There is no doubt what is written here:
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed Galatians 1:8,9 KJV
(Note: There are heretics, wolves who creep in with lies like Jeremy Myers of Redeeming God Ministries (the very title of his false ministry is blasphemous) who are teaching that when Paul writes these imprecations he doesn’t really mean what he writes but is just using a play on words. The lies that Jeremy Myers is teaching is: “What you’re reading doesn’t really mean what it says.” For more exposure on Jeremy Myers please read one of many:
https://indefenseofthegospel.blogspot.com/2007/12/heretic-in-me-jeremy-myers-plea-or.html
And to be honest, the internet is FULL of these false teachers who want sinners to believe they are okay with God, no matter what.
Among many other misguided beliefs and confusion with proper hermeneutics these people have, the main problem is they completely lack an understanding of Dispensations within the Bible and how to rightly divide scripture, thus fail to follow 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV.
Christians in this current dispensation of Grace are required by God in scripture to pray for all men, including our saved and unsaved enemies.
Understanding Dispensations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI4CteEFxOk&feature=youtu.be
Understanding the Bible Translations, Salvation, Eschatology, and other important teachings of essential doctrine that are NOT taught in these apostate churches today and the online ministries and websites:
I Don't Go To Church
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2020/10/i-dont-go-to-church.html
![I Don't Go to Church: The Church is The Body of Christ not a Building by [Andrew Sheets]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1vUTRBM_lKJeFoHeWzGBY5fsFKYJsJmwQ04jlsWm2UgM4wXYjcW0DhdQWgVTIHW8kjrRDJq81v38yfwSD7U4kD8rEMq47XZ9ecpE4XlsWSzwDCvpItZOcBKX6wm6R3vEFhwHK58P)
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Go-Church-Christ-Building-ebook/dp/B07L39BV9L
◄ 1967. epiousios ►
Strong's Concordance
epiousios: for the coming day, for subsistence
Original Word: ἐπιούσιος, ον
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: epiousios
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-oo'-see-os)
Definition: for the coming day, for subsistence
Usage: for the morrow, necessary, sufficient.
I don't go to church: from a blood bought, born again Christian with over 50 years of going to church
Dear People,
These 501c3 brick and mortar buildings (and even those run under private or limited liability corp) run by apostate trained CEOs called pastors are not BIBLICAL. They are literally making Merchandise of you and your children and your children's heritage. They are cursed by God under both Galatians 1:8,9 and 2 Peter 2:3... In fact 2 Peter 2:3, literally says these false teachers through feigned (study the word feigned: invented. fake. counterfeit. deception. fictitious. ) words make merchandise of you...
I've completed an 800 page Ebook containing over a thousand references, several thousand pages of source documentation titled: " I don't go to church. A 50 year testimony of attending church to say in agreement with Dr. Larkin, that today's churches are building the kingdom of the Antichrist. " see note 1 below... If anyone wants this open public domain book. I will email you a copy for free. Email me your request to vietrandy@gmail.com.
This church-going issue has now become my focus. I'm a retired US naval officer, and finished a career in consulting. and recently retired from teaching High school as a licensed teacher. I also spent years living in other countries, including over 6 yrs in Vietnam sharing Jesus with the Vietnamese people.
Here's my testimony below:
To God be the glory Forever! Amen!
Maranatha!
(1) "I Don't Go to Church: The Church is The Body of Christ not a Building"reading it:
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Go-Church-Christ-Building-ebook/dp/B07L39BV9L
(2) My 50 year testimony of going to church to know today’s churches are building the kingdom of the antichrist LINK
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/01/today-churches-are-building-kingdom-of.html
(3) Brick and Mortar 501C3 buildings called churches run by apostate CEOs called pastors are not biblical LINK
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/05/first-and-foremost-all-praise-and-glory.html
(4) Why Bible Translations are important LINK
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/10/modern-bible-translations-are-satanic.html
King James Version Bible for Today
http://www.kjvtoday.com/home#TOC-The-King-James-Version-is-Demonstra
Why Bible Translations really matter:
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2020/08/the-true-history-of-king-james-bible.html
(5) MEGA TRAP CHURCH TRAP Double Bind of the Nicolaitans LINK
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2015/07/keeping-vs-kept-law-keeping-vs-gospel.html
(6) Doing the Math on the Kingdom Parables of Matthew 13 LINK
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/08/doing-math-on-kingdom-parable-of-sower.html
(7) Manna and Leaven: How the modern false teachers use it LINK
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/10/manna-leaven.html
(8) Nearly 80 % of churches do not discuss Bible Prophecy even though 25% of the Bible is about Prophecy. This includes the importance of the Rapture of the Body of Christ.
The Truth about the Rapture of the Body of Christ BEFORE the Tribulation:
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2020/09/the-pretribulation-rapture-is-truth.html
(9) Christian, You don’t have to pay tithes LINK
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/12/christian-you-are-not-required-to-pay.html
(10) Salvation is secure our Eternal Security is Scripture LINK
http://graceambassadors.com/salvation/can-we-lose-our-salvation
Our Sins (sinful nature before Salvation) are wiped clean at salvation. Eternal Salvation is NOT a process… working out our salvation in the flesh is... Know the difference. False teachers use this against the unlearned..... Be a good Berean... LINK
https://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/have-our-future-sins-already-been-forgiven/
Bible meaning of True Salvation LINK
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2018/11/ephesians-28-9-james-version-kjv-8-for.html
Our Gospel for Today for Salvation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mCtzSuUchw&t=2643s
Entitlement = Imputed Righteousness of Jesus Christ our free gift at Regeneration LINK
https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Believer's%20Corner/Doctrines/imputation.htm
(11) The Shepherd and The Shulamite
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2014/01/most-powerful-love-story-ever-written.html
(12) Updates on the Apostate Church of Today
https://thirdheaventraveler.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-flood-of-updates-on-apostate-church.html
The Return 2020 DECEPTION
https://youtu.be/i75BX1HfGMY
Disclaimer on E511
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2020/09/take-youtuber-e511-with-grain-of-salt.html
The Perfect Storm for American Civil War; Christian strive lawfully
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2020/11/httpsyoutu.html
Striving Lawfully
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2020/11/fight-good-fight-dear-christian-strive.html
To understand scripture we must understand the following: 1. There is only one thoroughly proven correct bible translation which is the King James Version also known as the Authorized Version Bible. See links in notes above that substantiate this claim titled: Why the King James Version Bible is the authorized Bible translation. 2. A thorough understanding in Dispensations of the Bible that allows us to “rightly DIVIDE the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV.
4 Levels of proper understanding of Scripture Notes from Dr. Badger
Law of Non Contradiction
Law Exegesis and Hermeneutics
Law of Biblical Theology in Historical Context
Law of Systematic Theology
Law of Dogmatic Theology
Law of Application
EXEGESIS: WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY.
HERMENEUTICS: WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN.
Forgiveness in Pauline epistles are all directly applied to the body of Christ
2 Corinthians 2:7
2 Corinthians 2:10
Ephesians 4:32
Colossians 3:13
These scriptures apply to the Kingdom dispensation and are not applicable to the age of Grace example:
1 John 4:20 KJV
Romans is written to the church of Rome which is comprised of newborn Christian gentiles as well as converted Jews who’ve come to faith in Jesus Christ. The Judaizers were busy at work to bring the law into the gospel and Paul had to continually combat this in contending for the faith. There was a tremendous divide between the Jews and Gentiles. Each brought their own bias and tradition with them into the new life of a follower of Jesus Christ. One of many examples was the terror a gentile convert had of eating meat that had been previously offered to idols whereas the Jewish converts couldn’t have cared less. We find Paul is in an extremely difficult place both geographically (Rome was the center of power where all of the many met and were forced to mesh into a place and system) as well as politically (Ceasar was the final authority on earth) and socially (much like the United States today, there was a convergence of literally hundreds of different cultures and norms). Since Paul’s message is the Gospel and interest is first and foremost the gospel he pounds home salvation through grace by faith and the sufficient and perfect atonement of the work of the cross from Romans chapters 2 through 8. Then quite baffling in Chapters 9 through 11, Paul changes dispensation and audience of the age of Grace and the Body of Christ where there are neither jew nor gentile, nor male or female to the dispensation of the law and works and directly to the Jewish people. For a deeper understanding of Romans 9 through 11, read “Free Grace theology on Trial” by Dr. Badger
Harmonizing Matthew 5:44 KJV with Luke 14:26 KJV with Romans 12:14 KJV with
Bless G2127 them which persecute G1377 you G5209: bless G2127, and G2532 curse G2672 not G3361.
Romans 12:14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Bless them which persecute you,.... It is the lot of God's, people in this world to be persecuted by the men of it, in some shape or another, either by words or deeds; either by reviling and reproaching them, and speaking all manner of evil of them; or by hindering them the free exercise of religious worship, by confiscation of their goods, imprisonment of their persons, by violently torturing their bodies, and taking away their lives; under all which circumstances they are taught to
bless them; that is, to pray for them, that God would show them their evil, give repentance to them, and the remission of their sins; which is the order Christ gave to his disciples, Matthew 5:44; and encouraged to an observance of, by his own example, Luke 23:34; and has been followed herein by his disciples and apostles, Acts 7:60 1 Corinthians 4:12. Moreover, by "blessing" may be meant, giving them good words, mild and soft answers, "not rendering evil for evil, railing for railing", 1 Peter 3:9; but, on the contrary, blessing, in imitation of Christ, who, "when he was reviled, reviled not again", 1 Peter 2:23, "bless",
Original: εὐλογέω Transliteration: eulogeō Phonetic: yoo-log-eh'-o
Thayer Definition: to praise, celebrate with praises
to invoke blessings to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers
to ask God's blessing on a thing pray God to bless it to one's use
pronounce a consecratory blessing on of God
to cause to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on
favoured of God, blessed Origin: from a compound of G2095 and G3056
Strong's Definition: From a compound of G2095 and G3056; to speak well of, that is, (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper): - bless, praise.
12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Paul here extends the principles of Christian living to the area of personal persecution. At first sight, it seems that v. 14 should be located before v. 17, a verse which introduces a section concerning the pressure from hostile relationships. Sadly, it appears that Paul sees the need to advise faithful believers in Rome about their response to persecution within the church (Rom. 2:1; 14:10–13). Paul was writing out of the personal experience, many in the wider church opposed him. Some of his greatest opponents were former Jews who saw him as a betrayer of all that was eternally true; a betrayer of what God had given to Moses. These ‘believing’ Jews—including some circumcised Gentiles—would have applauded Paul if he had led the Gentiles into the fold of Judaism through their submission to circumcision. The hatred that his non-compliance generated is difficult to appreciate but is evident throughout his letters and the Acts of the Apostles (Gal. 6:12; 1 Thess. 2:13– 16; Acts 21:20–22; 23:12–22). In urging the believers to bless those who persecute them, Paul was not asking them to abandon principles of justice. In Romans 13:1ff., he will explain the God- appointed role of rulers for maintaining justice, and in 1 Corinthians 6:1–8 he urges believers to seek arbitration concerning their disputes from the church leadership. There is no suggestion that we have to abandon justice within the church in order to bless others. Indeed, a characteristic of the early church was its anxiety to uphold the laws of the state. By asking the Roman believers to bless their enemies, Paul was effectively saying that they should pray for them—not seek their humiliation or destruction (Matt. 5:44). The object of all discipline must be that the offender is restored to fellowship and welcomed back with all the forgiveness that God gives to repentant sinners. The Scriptures do not ask us to do anything more than what God would do himself. He forgives only when there is genuine repentance, and when he has to punish, he never delights in its implementation. Likewise, Christians can only forgive those who have wronged them when there is genuine repentance. Where there is no repentance, there can be no forgiveness, and the resulting pain can be hard to bear for the Christian who has been wronged. Clearly the Christian should always want reconciliation and be ready to forgive. However, when someone is consistently abused or exploited, and if the church fails to intervene, Paul indicates elsewhere that the state has been appointed to correct such injustices. Paul had found himself in this very position when he appealed to Caesar for the settlement of a dispute. When some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem—opposed to the message about Jesus and the resurrection—sought to have Paul murderously ‘silenced’ he was forced to appeal to the state for protection.
Hope for the Nations Paul’s Letter to the Romans Tom Holland
and curse not: to have a mouth full of cursing and bitterness, Romans 3:14, is the character of an unregenerate man, and what by no means suits one who names the name of Christ; for blessing and cursing to proceed out of the same mouth, is as absurd and unnatural, as if it should be supposed that a fountain should send forth sweet water and bitter, or salt and fresh, James 3:10. The imprecations upon wicked men, used by David and other good men, are no contradictions to this rule; since they were made under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and were predictions of God's vengeance, which in righteous judgment should fall on them, and are not to be drawn into an example by us.
*** Paul himself acts according to this principle in his second epistle to Timothy. He curiously speaks of separate parties who both harmed him, yet only one receives an imprecation, the other a statement of longsuffering: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works. . . . At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge” (2 Tim. 4:14, 16). Alexander receives a clear denunciation, yet the others are granted a level of patience. Paul prays for God to dispense justice on the one and mercy on the others. This different treatment is, evidently, because Alexander’s ill behavior revealed a more deeply rooted resolution of evil within his character, whereas the other parties abandoned Paul out of moral weakness. A greater degree of evil characterized Alexander’s action; hence he received an imprecation, while Paul gave the others an expression of love and goodwill. Two parties wronged Paul; he prayed that the Lord would punish the first and absolve the second, with the only plausible difference being the heightened immorality of Alexander’s betrayal.
*****
t is important to note that the psalms are not the only place in the Bible where imprecations are used. Jesus quoted from Psalm 69 in John 15:25. Peter quoted from it in Acts 1:20, and Paul used it in Romans 11:9–10. However, imprecatory language is also used in prophetic literature like Hosea, Micah, and Jeremiah, as well as in the New Testament epistles like 1 Corinthians 16:22 and Galatians 1:9. Revelation 6:10 describes martyrs under the altar in heaven crying out, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" https://www.compellingtruth.org/imprecatory-psalms.html
******
Bless those who persecute you, Romans 12:14. It has been the common lot of God's people to be persecuted, either with a powerful hand or with a spiteful tongue. Now we are here taught to bless those that so persecute us. Bless them that is, First, "Speak well of them. If there be any thing in them that is commendable and praiseworthy, take notice of it, and mention it to their honour." Secondly, "Speak respectfully to them, according as their place is, not rendering railing for railing, and bitterness for bitterness." And, Thirdly, We must wish well to them, and desire their good, so far from seeking any revenge. Matthew Henry’s Commentary of Romans 12:14
********
Biblical Love and Hate Harmonized
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2017/09/biblical-love-and-hatred-harmonized-we.html
The Third Heaven Traveler
Luke 4:17-21: Jesus opened the book and read from Isaiah(61): "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." When Jesus finished reading he sat down and said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."
Biblical Love and Hatred Harmonized. We are at war Christian. Even so come Lord Jesus Christ #Maranatha #Rapture #Judgement Comes #CCOT
September 21, 2017
NOTE: Although I agree with most of what this author concludes, it must be noted he does not understand and distinguish biblical dispensations. Namely between the kingdom gospel of Jesus Christ and the church age we are currently. In other words, the Beatitudes do not apply to the Christian. This was the Kingdom message to the Jews. Please refer to Dispensational truth link here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI4CteEFxOk&t=336s&list=FLVRqKqv8ML5ei5Ms-1pUqJQ&index=158
FAITH & HERITAGE
Biblical Love and Hatred Harmonized
by Nil Desperandum May 2, 2014
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. – Matthew 5:44
Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. – Psalm 139:21-22
Read full study in Link
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2017/09/biblical-love-and-hatred-harmonized-we.html
Comments
Post a Comment