Yadda
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CONTINUED FROM LAST POST.....
#9, Jesus taught, lifes purpose is to prepare yourself for what happens after this life
True.
But we are not perfect, nor will any of us come to any form of [spiritual] perfection in our lives here.
That, imo, is an impossible quest.
IMO, our purpose here is to come to that place where we personally acknowledge our 'unredeemable' nature, before God.
Psalms 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Q. So, how does scripture teach us to 'solve' the problem of our 'unredeemable' nature ?
Q. How can man with an 'unredeemable' nature 'approach' a righteous God ?
A. In humility.
Acknowledge our errors to God, in prayer.
Look for God's forgiveness and mercy.
Psalms 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Further;
We need to acknowledge that God alone is the final arbiter of righteousness among men. And if we are a righteous people, we must be willing to align ourselves with God's righteousness. Period.
If we love God [i.e. if we love God's righteousness] we have an obligation before God to seek protect the weak from oppressors and criminals, where we can.
And it is WE, WE, WE, who must be prepared to accuse and bring the guilty oppressors and criminals to account.
Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Jeremiah 22:3 Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
Our silence in the face of evil, and silence in the face of wrong-doing, is our consent and acceptance [before God] of that wrong-doing.
Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
If we love the world and our 'life' more than God's righteousness, then corruption will be our reward.
Standing with [and being tolerant of] those who hate God, and those who hate God's righteousness [his laws], is not a 'healthy' place to be for mankind or for any individual.
2 Chronicles 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil:..
Proverbs 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
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