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Repentance (Changing the Mind) from Dead Works

Wherefore, leaving the beginning word of the Christ, we should bear on the basis of the maturity, not again laying down a foundation of changing the mind from dead works and faith concerning God, doctrine of immersion, laying on of hands, both resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment – Hebrews 6:1,2

Repentance (Changing the Mind) from Dead Works2023-12-14T08:52:02-08:00

The Works of the Flesh – Inner burning anger

The works of the flesh, which are a product of the sin nature residing in the flesh, are plainly seen in certain desires and actions. One of these works is an inner burning anger. Sometimes mistranslated as “wrath”, this is a work within a person that will produce all kinds of wrong actions because it holds their mind in anger so that they are not clearly thinking, but rather lash out in anger by both their words and deeds.

Inner burning anger has a very negative impact on other Christians and shows that the one caught in it is carnal. That is, not focusing on the things of God, but on the things of the flesh.

For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I desirously will, and also I shall be found by you such as you do not desirously will; lest strife, jealousies, inner burning anger, selfish ambitions, backbiting, whisperings, conceits, confusions – 2 Corinthians 12:20

We are to put away this type of attitude from us, putting off the old man

Let all bitterness, inner burning anger, wrath, clamor, and blasphemy be put away from you, with all wrong. – Ephesians 4:31

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: wrath, inner burning anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. – Colossians 3:8

Stop lying to one another, having stripped off the old man with its practices and put on as an outer garment the new man, the one being renewed unto the full experiential knowledge according to the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:9, 10

Anger is not sin; however, the sin nature can take our anger and misapplying […]

The Works of the Flesh – Inner burning anger2023-12-14T08:46:30-08:00

Pleasing (ἀρέσκω)

Pleasing (ἀρέσκω) expresses the concept of acting in a fawning manner to win favor or to act in a way that is pleasing. Therefore, it has a negative, flattery, and a positive, pleasing, side to its meaning.

On Herod’s birthday, Herodias’ daughter danced before Herod and his guests to please him, instigating a response from him that resulted in a promise of a reward. This allowed Herodias to have John the Baptist put to death for calling out Herod’s unlawful act of being with her (his brother’s wife), for she had already instructed her daughter to ask for his head when the King offered her whatever she wanted because she pleased him, Matthew 14:6.

At the beginning of the Church, before the complete revelation concerning the Church was given, the first assembly in Jerusalem faced an issue with the care of the widows among the Hellenistic Jews. This issue required substantial attention and would impact the disciples’ ability to minister to the saints. To address this, the disciples called the multitude together to discuss selecting men who would handle the day-to-day affairs of the assembly, including ensuring that all widows were adequately cared for. This solution would allow the disciples to focus on ministering the Word instead of serving tables. The proposed resolution pleased the multitude, creating the position of Deacon, Acts 6:5.

The desires and works of the flesh cannot please God, for they are carnal in nature and, therefore, hostile to God, Romans 8:8. Because God imputes Christ’s death and resurrection to us, we are able to walk in newness of life, free from slavery to the sin nature, Romans 6:5-6. However, when we try to live the Christian life through law, the result […]

Pleasing (ἀρέσκω)2024-09-05T05:52:16-07:00

Atonement

Keper (כפר) means “to cover”. When used of sin it takes on the meaning of atonement. However, atonement does not modify its definition; rather, it is a specific use for the word “to cover”. It is not a word that is restricted to religious purposes.

Noah is instructed to cover the ark inside and out, Genesis 6:14. In expressing the aspect of recompense, Jacob sends many of his possessions before him to Esau seeking to make an atonement for stealing the blessing from their father, Genesis 32:18.

The ark of the covenant has on top of it the place of covering, often translated as the mercy seat. This is the place where the High Priest would make an offering of the blood of bulls and goats each year to cover the sins of Israel, Exodus 25:17. The Mosaic law made place for the covering of sins by gifts and the offering of a sacrifice, Exodus 29:36. However, the gifts and sacrifices could not make the one preforming the religious service clear concerning their conscience, Hebrews 9:9.

In the New Testament, atonement is expressed by propitiation. In Hebrews 9:5, we find a reference to the Mercy Seat in the Old Testament Temple, which is translated by a word meaning “a place of satisfaction” or “propitiation”. Christ propitiatory work relates to the righteousness of God because He deferred judgment on previously committed sins, Romans 3:25, and was for the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. However, propitiation is not equivalent with salvation. When it comes to salvation, Christ did not make a covering for sins, He sent them away (ἄφεσιν), Colossians 1:14, and it is by His blood that our conscience is cleaned from dead works, Hebrews 9:14.

Atonement2023-12-14T08:11:28-08:00

The Inarticulate Babbler Out of the Mouth

At that time Jesus answered saying, “I agree with You, Father, Lord of the heaven and the earth, that You have concealed these things from wise and intelligent ones and have revealed these things to inarticulate babblers” – Matthew 11:25.

After Christ drove out those who bought and sold in the Temple, He healed the blind and lame that came to Him. However, the Chief Priest and Scribes expressed indignation over children crying out in the Temple saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David”, Matthew 21:15. In their position and due to the requirements of their studies to hold those positions, they should have known that God stated that His praise would be established out of the mouth of the inarticulate babbler, Matthew 21:16. This is one of the few cases in Scripture were the word “inarticulate babbler” is actually referring to children of an age where they lack knowledge and are therefore still under tutors and governors. Typically, “inarticulate babbler” is used of those who are grown up, but still act as though they are little children. Yet, the Chief Priests and Scribes’ concern was not in the incredible miracles that Christ did, but that the children were calling out for Him to save them.

The education of men does not override the truth from God. The Chief Priest, Scribes, and religious sects of the time stood against Jesus because they could not understand His speech, John 8:43. Not because they lacked knowledge or wisdom from a worldly perspective, but because His words were truth, and they were out from their father the devil. These where the ones who went to the best schools and had very high positions of esteem due to their vast knowledge, […]

The Inarticulate Babbler Out of the Mouth2023-11-23T18:04:24-08:00
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