Every one of us will face depression at some point. It's very common for family, friends, jobs and other factors to bring us down. Although this can happen, there is always one truth that you should keep in the forefront of your mind: you are one of God's children and He loves you dearly.
If we want to truly get rid of depression, we should turn to God. If you are facing troubles in your life, turn to Him and He will heal your broken heart and heal your wounds. Christ strengthens all of us - so put your faith in Him!
If you want to receive God's wisdom and strength, then you should read the Bible. By reading the Bible, you can meditate upon verses that contain very important life truths. When you do this and pray for guidance, the path to happiness can become very clear.
Read the Top 9 Bible verses for Depression from GodVine.com below to discover the true, Christian path to happiness!
#9 - Nehemiah 8:10
"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
This verse basically means that you should enjoy life and be happy while you can - and while you do, you should remember those less fortunate than you. Not everyone can "eat the fat and drink the sweet," so you should also remember to provide to the less fortunate.
Doing those two throughout your life can bring happiness. Anyone who meditates upon the things that bring joy in life, while remembering that others are not so fortunate, can gain a valuable, happy perspective on life.
#8 - Psalms 42:5
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."
This verse is simple but it rings of truth: there is no room for despair in our lives. This is because all things are possible to God! We have a promise of salvation from a God who is good and powerful. We should always place our hope and trust in him, no matter how bad things seem in our life.
#7 - Hosea 6:1
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up."
This verse speaks directly about our Lord's desire to heal us and to keep us from true harm. When you are facing the darkest, deepest despair you should remember this verse. Although things in life happen for a reason (meaning you will encounter bad things in your life), our God is there to heal us when we are hurting. Not only that, but he protects us from damnation. So if you need healing during your life - you should ALWAYS turn to God.
#6 - John 16:33
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
What is being said in this verse is: God knows all things, we should have that fact in our mind at all times. If we are facing troubles and are feeling depressed, we should look to God alone for peace and happiness.
#5 - 2 Corinthians 4:8
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;"
We will go through trials in our lives. However, even though we are going to undoubtedly face adversity, perhaps even similar to the adversity that the apostles felt, we should not be distressed or be in despair. Our God is there for us, to support us. If we keep Him at the forefront of our minds, all of these trials will not seem as serious as they would have otherwise.
#4 - 2 Corinthians 4:16
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."
This verse speaks of our soul - and how although our "outward man" (or our body) may face despair and decay, our souls will remain intact. This is because God has saved all of our souls! So no matter what happens here in this world, it won't matter during our everlasting life with God in Heaven.
So don't focus on the bad things that happen during life - they are only temporary anyway!
#3 - 2 Timothy 1:7
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
This verse tells us to remember an important fact about our very nature as Christians: God did not give us FEAR, but he gave us the spirit of power, love and of a sound mind. Therefore, we should know in our hearts that He gave us the power to fight against any of the bad things in life.
#2 - Psalms 147:3
"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
If we find ourselves amidst troubles and depression, God has the power to heal our broken hearts. He will take those who are crushed, whether it is in body or mind, and he will mend them.
This verse is very straightforward, but it holds some of the most important facts for us as Christians. No matter what we face during this life, our God is there to console us and to heal us.
#1 - Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
This verse, one of the most popular and important in the Bible, speaks directly to our troubles of depression. This should give us the hope and the knowledge that we can make it through any problems that we have. As Christians, we know that we have CHRIST behind us. He will strengthen us and help us deal with whatever we will face.
So although God might not be able to prevent all bad things from happening to us, He WILL help us get through those trials. Not only that, but if are downtrodden and hurt, he will heal us.
Praise be to God!
GodVine is a Christian community where believers can watch Christian videos, view religious pictures, read the Bible online, and find daily inspiration in their walk with Jesus. Visit the Online Bible today for spiritual insight and self-improvement!
Countdown to GameDay is back for Week 7 of the College Football season! Jason Fitz and Christine Williamson will provide updates on the latest news regarding COVID-19 and its impact on college football games this weekend, then they’ll be joined by Desmond Howard and Jim Mora to breakdown the full slate of games on Saturday. Jason and Christine recall the top 10 mascot moments in college football history on a very special anniversary, and finally, they’re joined by Bill Connelly to breakdown the primetime matchup between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide.
Different cultures have different barriers to becoming and thriving as a Christian. The following are some of the barriers that are claimed to be experienced from the outside and even within churches themselves. Jesus was crucified and resurrected. He never asked you to sacrifice yourself in any way, particularly to die for Him. A martyr cannot share His message. Moreover, given we are actually spiritual beings housed in a body, giving up some carnal habits (weaknesses of the body) should not be considered sacrifices.
Todd White was a drug addict and atheist for 22 years. In 2004 he was radically and miraculously set free when a gun fired at him and he should have died but instead heard God speak to his heart, “I took that bullet for you, now are you ready to live for me?” Train with Todd White & his team at Lifestyle Christianity University (LCU)
But, troublesome, conflicting messages (among churches, and between the church and the Word), as well as difficult environments and people are challenging for both existing and prospective Christians. Here are some of the barriers, or stumbling blocks people face. There is overlap. Legal issues aside, follow us at the end of the article for more discussion.
*Legal – In some countries, it is illegal to be Christian, or Christians are so culturally disdained that being Christian places your life at risk. Pick your environments. Choose your battles wisely.
*Self-righteousness – Only God can make you righteous, thereby all fail to keep the Commandments, and need Jesus’ Salvation. Are you self-righteous?
*Church Abuse – Whether internally or externally directed, this is the polar opposite of the objective of a church. How do you treat people inside and outside the church?
*Hypocrisy or being Judgmental – Without justification by, or the righteousness of Jesus, the Christian is a dismal sinner. S/he thereby has no right to maintain a hypocritical, judgmental nature. Jesus taught, healed and came to save the willing. There were and are plenty deserving judgment, but that was not the purpose of the use of His valuable time. How are you using your time, to save or castigate and judge?
*The non-Pacifist Christian – Some wrongly believe that Christians should be bowing, scraping, and turning their other cheeks to every villain and bully who threatens them as if such is consistent with Christian dogma. They both hold Christians to such as a behavioral standard for a nice Christian and concurrently hold it against Christians as representing weakness with which they would not wish to affiliate. Are you a Pacifist Christian?
*Suffering – Some see Christians apparently suffering like everyone else and question "Why bother?"
*Prosperity - Some see Christians appearing to not prosper as they believe should be the case question "Why not?" Others question the ever money-seeking manner of some ministers and ministries and question "Why?"
*Outdated Church – The church is composed of and serves the community. Is your church assuring that its members and community current are thriving?
*The Message – You would not smear a vegetarian restaurant for being exclusive, not serving meat. It is intended to serve vegetarian meals. Christian churches are intended to serve God’s Word. God was, is, and will be "I Am". His message has not and will not change. Is your church changing His Word in a contemporary attempt to be politically correct and inclusive?
Follow us for more discussion.
We have many years of experience writing in different settings regarding Christian topics.
"It's More Than One Kid Over Here" HUGE 6U Baller Aiden Smith and Pac-Prime vs World Famous Jaguars
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Texas Youth Football. From Under The Radar Sports Media
Nicco Marchiol and Noah Schmidt are PUTTING ON A SHOW in Arizona!!! Hamilton vs Perry
Hamilton vs Perry - Arizona Football
For the second consecutive week Nicco Marchiol and Noah Schmidt have LIT
UP the scoreboard. Nicco was 17-19 throwing for 168 yards with 2
passing touchdowns. He also ran for 85 yards with 2 more touchdowns.
Running back Noah Schmidt ran for 99 yards with 3 touchdowns... his only
repletion was a 64 yard touchdown! Defensive back Cole Martin was
locking his opponent up! National Prep Stars on PassportplayasTV
MaxPreps Top 10 Plays of the Week // Week 6
Steve Montoya and Zack Poff take a look at this week's Top 10 plays.
People that want to stay in shape can do so even during the lockdown. They will want to get resistance bands so that they can exercise inside their apartment or home. The resistance bands will give them a great workout so that they are able to stay in shape. They will be able to lose weight and tone up their muscles when they use them with their exercises. Since this can make a huge difference for people during the lockdown, they love what they can do for them.
Why Resistance Bands Are The Most Versatile Piece Of Gym Equipment For Lockdown?
Resistance bands are small and lightweight. They can be transported easily so a person can use them no matter where they are going for personal or professional reasons. For this reason, they are also extremely good inside a home or apartment because they can be moved from room to room without any problems at all. Wherever a person feels most comfortable and that includes outside also. If they have a yard, they can exercise there. The resistance bands can also be used for exercising on a balcony or porch.
Try this at-home resistance band home workout from optimum nutrition athlete Evan Johnson. Resistance bands are an inexpensive way to get a great workout in anywhere, anytime!
There Are Many Exercises That A Person Can Do With Resistance Bands
There are plenty of different exercises that they will be able to do when they have resistance bands. Many of them will deal with strength training so that they can get their muscles toned up. They will look and feel much better when they are exercising on a regular basis. Since this will also mean a lot to them, they will be able to enjoy the time that they are using the resistance bands for their exercising pleasure.
Shopping Around For Exercise Bands
They will want to shop around for exercise bands to get the best price possible. The best way to do this is by searching online for different stores that sell them. They can take advantage of any sales, discounts, promotions, and deals when they comparison shop online. They want to be able to save money in any way that they can.
Customer Service Is Important
Depending on where a person buys their resistance bands, they will get the customer service that they deserve. They will want to be able to ask any questions that they have and get the answers right away. If they have a problem with them, they will also want to have it dealt with as soon as possible. Good customer service will give them the ability to know that they have somewhere to turn to if they need to.
Using resistance bands will really be something that can benefit people during a lockdown. They will still be able to stay in great shape. Since the resistance bands are also easy to care for, they should have no problem keeping them in good working order. Many people love the resistance bands and they can see results in a short period of time. This is because of the special way that it makes them move their muscles during their exercise routine.
Exercise Resistance Bands UKare one of the leading online resources for good quality, affordable resistance training bands.
Judy is a force to be reckoned with. She is blowing the whistle on corruption happening behind the scenes and sharing the truth about vaccines, vaccine damage, and she walks us through the CDC vaccine schedule.
Be on the lookout for Part 2 & 3 of this amazing interview with Judy. Join us for the entire 10-part docu-series, The Truth About Vaccines 2020 starting October 13 airing at 9pm EST around the world FREE!! ➡️ https://bit.ly/fall-ttav
No matter whether you're PRO or ANTI vaccines, or, like many of our viewers, you're somewhere in between... this eye-opening docu-series will provide you with the tools you need to make informed and empowered decisions about the health of you and your family.
What you will learn in this educational 10-episode series:
*THE HISTORY OF VACCINES*
Vaccination programs are given credit for eradicating some of the most devastating illnesses of the past, but they’re no longer immune to controversy of their own.
*VACCINE RISKS and SAFETY CONCERNS*
Concerns about vaccine injuries, mercury toxicity, and autism have increased substantially in recent years, and public debate is once again heating up.
*FULL LIST of OPTIONS and ALTERNATIVES*
You don’t have to pro- or anti-vaccine anymore. New options are available to guard against serious illness, based on your unique situation and risk factors.
*MANDATORY/FORCED VACCINATION LEGISLATION*
Our health freedoms are being silently trampled on. We must not allow Big Pharma to take away our constitutional right to choose.
*COVID-19 IMPACT*
Is a Coronavirus vaccine coming? Is it necessary? Can we protect ourselves from it naturally? We will address all of these questions.
*...AND SO MUCH MORE*
Register NOW to watch all 10 episodes of “The Truth About Vaccines” for FREE starting October 13. ➡️ https://bit.ly/fall-ttav
Jason Fitz, Dan Graziano and Field Yates preview the Monday Night Football matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints, as well as break down the biggest news from Sunday's action including Dak Prescott's horrific injury, Alex Smith's comeback, and more.
The Best Tips For Buying Your Sporting Equipment Online
Author
Gary Rogers
Shopping
online offers plenty of advantages. When you buy online, you can find
the best deals and order exactly what you want without ever having to
leave your home. However, there are disadvantages as well. You won't be
able to see what you're buying ahead of time, and you may have issues
with returns.
That's why you'll want to keep these suggestions in mind when you're
buying sporting equipment online. Follow this advice, and you'll have a
smoother shopping experience.
Buy From Retailers You Can Trust
The experience you'll have while online shopping will vary greatly
based on the retailer that you choose to work with. You should always
purchase equipment like this from a dependable retailer that you can
rely on.
If a vendor that you've had positive experiences with sells sporting
goods, you should consider buying from them again. If you're going to be
placing an order with a vendor that's new to you, it's a good idea to
learn more about them before you add items to your cart.
Prioritize Security
You'll need to input sensitive information when you order items
online, such as credit card numbers. That's why you'll want to take your
security seriously. You should make sure you use a strong password when
creating accounts. You should also make sure that the site you're
shopping at has strong security measures in place.
A lack of security can lead to serious issues, including identity
theft. You'll want to do everything you can to avoid these kinds of
problems. There are plenty of cyber threats you need to worry about when
shopping online, but with a few basic precautions, you'll be able to
avoid these kinds of problems.
Research What You're Buying
You should never buy blind, especially when you're making a major
purchase. Look at product descriptions closely so that you can get a
clearer picture of the products that you're buying. Don't just rely on
images. Look at the measurements and other information in the product
description.
You should also take a closer look at reviews. See what other people
have been saying about the product. Whether this feedback is positive or
negative, it can help you to make the right decision.
Look at Return Policies and Shipping Times in Advance
How long will it take for your equipment to arrive? What options do
you have if you're not satisfied with the equipment that you've bought?
You'll want to have the answers to these kinds of questions before you
place an order.
Vendors should have return policies and shipping information clearly
posted on their site. Take the time to check this information ahead of
time so that you aren't hit by any surprises after you've placed your
order. You'll feel more comfortable shopping with a vendor if you know
what the vendor's policies are.
These are some of the best tips for buying your sporting equipment
online. Follow this advice, and you'll be able to enjoy the perks of
online shopping while avoiding the drawbacks.
Gotto Sports Belfast is Northern Ireland's leading online sports equipment and sports gear retailer.
** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
Marion County, Florida — On October 4, 2020, Deputy Elliott of MCSO responded to a residence in reference to a call about a disturbance. When he arrived to check on the individuals at the location, Geoffrey Gomm (DOB: 10/21/83) punched a window from inside the residence. (Continued below............)
(Continued....)Deputy Elliott remained persistent and attempted to communicate with Gomm as he exited the residence while trying not to escalate Gomm’s erratic behavior. Gomm resisted Deputy Elliot’s attempts to calm him down and speak with him, then entered his own vehicle. Gomm then rammed his vehicle into Deputy Elliott’s patrol car, (which was unoccupied). Gomm then backed up and rammed the patrol car a SECOND TIME, which caused extensive damage to the driver side deploying the air bags. Deputy Elliott was ultimately able to get him to exit the vehicle and eventually comply with commands. As it is seen in the video, Gomm remained highly verbal and aggressive towards all individuals in the area. Gomm was placed under arrest for Felony Criminal Mischief, Resisting without Violence and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
Home Invasion Story Highlights Classic Door Ambush
Security of your home is everyone's responsibility. Similarly, they should know the family's response plan.
Waukegan, IL — The Waukegan Police Department was called out to a home invasion this past week and arrived on scene to find two male bodies laying in the front yard, deceased.
The incident took place at the 100 block of Frolic Avenue at about 10 am when two men attempted to gain entry to the home by knocking on the front door dressed as gas company employees. A young female on the inside heard the loud knocking and opened the door to see who was there.
Once the door was opened the two men forced their way inside.
It has been reported at this time that the two men were brothers and that there was one handgun, a revolver, that they shared.
The female screamed for help and dialed the police. The scream triggered a 30-something year old male who rents a room on a lower level to come up from the downstairs, armed with his own pistol and engaged the two men.
One of them was hit, causing the other brother to grab the gun and arm of his injured brother in an attempt to reportedly to drag him outside, likely to make an attempt at escaping. When the tenant saw the other brother grab the revolver, he went back downstairs.
He then returned with a rifle (news outlets are calling it an “assault rifle, so it's probably an AR-15 or variant of) and then re-engaged the other man while he was outside.
Multiple gun shots were exchanged, but ultimately the other brother was hit. Nobody else was harmed, to include a toddler that the female was reportedly baby sitting.
The tenant reportedly has his FOID card (firearm owner ID card), but the two invaders did not.
Analysis:
It is a tried and true tactic for criminals to impersonate legitimate employees of companies to show that they've got a reason to be at your house. Their goal is to attract less attention from your neighbors, but seem legit enough that you'll open your door to see what they need.
But then the unexpecting person at home opens the door only to find intruders forcing their way inside. What are their intentions? At this point you can only speculate as to whether or not they'll only take your stuff, or add your life to the list.
Your job as a homeowner, or as a resident in a home, is to prevent the bad guys from gaining entry as much as you possibly can. Your life depends on it.
The young girl who was at this house baby sitting a toddler never should have opened the door (though I'd feel irresponsible if I didn't state that they could have still gotten in if they were determined enough). It is unclear if she lives in this house or if the toddler she's baby sitting is a family member, but none of that really matters.
The door should have stayed closed. One report I read made it sound like the knocking on the door was getting increasingly louder, almost as if someone was kicking the door. I can almost guarantee you that a legit employee isn't going to be kicking down a door.
At this point, before opening the door, calling for help would have been an acceptable thing to do.
Now comes the shameless plug. This sort of break-in happens so often that we created a 48 minute training video surrounding this called Door Ambush. But here's the thing, this is only one of the possible scenarios that could happen, and there are a ton of ways that you can fix your house to make it so this doesn't happen to you or at least prevent it long enough that you can figure out your next step.
This training of ours is almost an hour long, plays out scenarios of real life incidents, gives you tips and pointers, and isn't even $10 MSRP.
An Informal Book Review Helping to Clarify the Essence of the Gospel
by Randy Rector
Copyright 2018 by Randle Ray Rector of the United States of America. Omissions, additions, or changes to the text are prohibited, but the copyright holder grants to everyone in the world the freedom and encouragement to translate, copy and distribute this review as much as he or she may wish.
A very strange informal book review is this that you are about to read. Strange because it is customary to give the title and the author as well as the publication information at the beginning of the review, and I don’t intend to do this. Those who have read the book will probably recognize it; those who have not will get its most crucial elements here. I admit that this is a very unscholarly approach, but I have a reason. The subject is the Good News of our Lord and Rescuer, Yeshua of Natzeret, the Messiah, and I am concerned for those who are unfamiliar with the issues involved. I don’t want them to look for the book and then become more confused than most people already are. Throughout the review I have provided references to the Bible. They are not exhaustive, but should be sufficient for you to check to see if I have spoken the truth.
I’m discussing a book that has many good points, such as showing that the goal of the Gospel is to hail Yeshua as the ascended King of the universe, co-reigning with His Father from His Father’s heavenly throne. (I would include that at His Second Coming King Jesus will express this shared cosmic throne through additionally reigning in tandem on the earthly throne of David--Luke 1:32-33; Acts 15:16; Revelation 3:21.) In spite of the good points of the book, however, it seriously distorts the way the Gospel is received. By exhibiting how it does this, I have no desire to discredit any man or woman, only our wrong ideas; so I will simply refer to “the author.”
On pages 92-93 under “Dimensions of Allegiance” the author states that “what follows in the rest of this section is particularly vital to the whole book.” It is, he says, “a deliberate alternative to classic definitions of ‘faith.’ ” He then discusses the analysis of faith developed by a colleague and best friend of Martin Luther, the Reformer Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560).
In Greek, faith is “pistis,” and in Latin “fides.” Out of a general silence a few scholars, including the author, assume that Melanchthon made a threefold analysis of “pistis” or “fides” in one of the four main editions of his well-known compendium “Loci Communes Theologici [Commonplaces (that is, Common Topics) Theological]” of 1521, 1535, 1543, and 1559. I read the 1521 edition translated into English by Christian Preus (copyright 2014, ISBN 978-0-7586-4445-9), the edition that was mentioned in the author’s footnote and bibliography. Since Martin Luther himself enthusiastically endorsed this book, I highly recommend it to study early Lutheran views. In it Melanchthon excellently discussed faith, but I couldn’t find his threefold analysis. This has been said by others about the later editions, too.
After searching, I ran across the place in Melanchthon’s “Enarratio epistolae prioris ad Timotheum [Commentary on the First Letter to Timothy],” 1550 to 1551, where Melanchthon gave Latin names to three simultaneous ingredients of faith. It can be found in the editor Karl Gottlieb Bretschneider’s “Corpus reformatorum,” Volume 15 (Halle, Germany: C.A. Schwetschke and Son, 1848), page column 1312 [available on Google Play]. Here is the exact quote with my own single quotation marks for emphasis: “Certissimum est fide in hac doctrina non tantum significari noticiam, quam et diaboli tenent, sed significari simul ‘noticiam’ historiae, et ‘assensionem,’ qua promissionem tibi applicas, et ‘fiduciam’ acquiescentem in mediatore et in Deo, iuxta promissionem...”
Based on her knowledge of medieval Latin and this field of study, Dr. Mirela Avdagic of Serbia has graciously provided me with an English translation of this sentence as follows: “It is certain that in this doctrine faith does not only mean knowledge, as devils deem, but it also means knowledge of history, and ascension, as promised to you, and growing trust in God and Mediator, according to promise…”
In classical Latin, Melanchthon’s second term “assensionem” indicated “approval, approbation, or applause.” A variant meaning arose in medieval times signifying “ascension.” Consequently, Melanchthon may have meant that faith comes from hearing the proclamation through the Gospel of the salvific historical events--the life, death, and immortal life of Jesus, which includes our ascension and session (that is, seating) in Christ Jesus at the right hand of God (Ephesians 2:4-7). Those saving events made certain a promise to us of future ascension (“going to heaven”). Both the history and the promise are activated and applied to an individual by a living confidence in the word of God, Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead as the Mediator between God and humanity (Romans 4:22-25; I Timothy 2:3-6).
Other scholars see a classical Latin nuance in the Renaissance humanist Melanchthon’s analysis of faith. As described by the author, its three simultaneous ingredients are “(1) ‘notitia’--the content [of the Gospel] to be intellectually apprehended; (2) ‘assensus’--intellectual agreement that the content is true; and (3) ‘fiducia’—trust or a disposition of reliance (rooted in the will/affections as variously defined).”
The author wants to replace these with (1) “ ‘intellectual agreement’ that the eight stages of the good news correspond to reality”; (2) “ ‘confession of loyalty’ to Jesus in recognition of his universal reign, and” (3) “an ‘embodied fidelity’ as a citizen of his realm [good works, also known as good deeds].” He rejects Melanchthon’s analysis because, he says, “it imposes faulty dimensions of ‘interiority’ (speculations about psychological states interior to the individual) on ‘pistis’ with respect to the ancient evidence.”
The Assyrian Church of the East, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches, and the Roman Catholic Church have all canonized a book written by a Hellenistic Jew sometime between 220 B.C. and A.D. 50 called the book of “Wisdom,” also known as “The Wisdom of Solomon.” Protestants, Anabaptists, and Jews do not spiritually discern it to be God-breathed and authoritative in the same sense as the books of the Bible, but many of them do regard it as a good philosophical treatise to read for edification, like a sermon or a book of devotionals. It is also useful for research. As an example I shall quote Wisdom 14:5 from the usually now separately-published section called The Apocrypha in the Anglican Authorised Version (AV) of 1611, also known as the King James Version (KJV). Wisdom 14:5 reads, “Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisdom should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved.”
The “small piece of wood” refers to a thin plank of an ancient ship whose hull was only four fingers thick. The Greek word here translated “commit” is “pisteuousin,” a “pistis” verb that is also used in the New Testament for “belief” in Jesus. The “men” who are sailors “believe” in the plank in the sense that they trust it and get on board the ship; and just as a sailor commits his life to a ship’s flimsiest plank, so a Christian commits himself or herself into the sure hands of Jesus. This kind of commitment is not “promising to be loyal”; it is “handing over for safekeeping.” It is trust combined with acting on that trust. The name for active trust is reliance. Relying results in rest.
Because most scholars agree that the book of Wisdom was written by a Hellenistic Jew between 220 B.C.E. and 50 C.E., Wisdom 14:5 provides evidence for Melanchthon’s analysis of faith even more ancient or at least as ancient as what scholars have studied about “pistis” in the Roman Empire.
“Pisteuousin” is also used in James 2:19 for the faith of the demons, but they only fearfully rely on God as their Judge, and not as “God our Savior.” For humans, God is both Judge and Savior.
A certain scholar has said that the Gospel is best described as “The Story of How God Became King.” Our author says this is another reason he rejects Melanchthon’s analysis: by many Christians “the climax of the gospel has been misidentified within “notitia” as forgiveness rather than as acknowledgment of kingship that leads to forgiveness.”
It is true that the climax of the Gospel is to confess that Jesus became the cosmic Lord of all that exists (Matthew 28:18; Romans 10:9). This is one of the author’s good points, and it is supported by the list of resurrection appearances in I Corinthians 15:1-11. That list reaches an objective climax described in The Acts of the Apostles when Jesus appeared from the heavens to the man who would become Apostle Paul. Paul’s subjective response was to confess Jesus’ kingship by calling Him cosmic “Lord,” and “Son of God.” Nevertheless, the grace of God involved is usually garbled in the minds of most people.
We see this as the author goes on to put a works-oriented spin on the Gospel by saying that “fiducia” “does not foreground the lived reality of ‘embodied fidelity’ sufficiently.” On the contrary, reliance IS “embodied fidelity” and is also the source of works of “embodied fidelity.” This means that first of all, because Jesus is “both Lord and Christ [the Messiah, the Anointed One]” (Acts 2:36), humans acclaim Him King apart from works by relying on His wonderful love and the free gift of salvation which He alone has provided. The thief on the cross did this, so he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). On the cross he could do no good works, nor could he be baptized by the disciples of Jesus, as in John 3:22-4:3. He simply rendered “obedience of faith” (the literal Greek of Romans 1:5, 16:26).
“Belief” and obedience may be also parallel in John 3:36 as translated in the New American Standard Bible (NASB) of 1995: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” The Greek word rendered “does not obey” is “apeithohn,” which can also mean “does not believe.” Considering it only a possibility that “does not obey” is more exact, it is in opposite parallelism with “believes”; so it is not saying that good works of obedience are required to receive or maintain eternal life, or that they are an inevitable result and evidence of having received it. It is saying that reliance alone is ITSELF obedience. This is the true faithfulness and the true allegiance.
I John 3:23 proclaims, “This is His (God the Father's) commandment: that we should rely on the name of His Son Jesus Christ [for eternal life], and [for discipleship, which is to] love one another as He (Jesus) gave us commandment [John 13: 34-35].”
I call the author's analysis of faith “The Case of the Missing ‘Fiducia.’ ” I do this because his (1) “intellectual agreement” contains both “notitia” and “assensus,” but his (2) “confession of loyalty” and (3) “embodied fidelity” shift the saving focus away from Christ to ourselves. This resembles the self-confidence of the Israelites at the inauguration of the Law of Moses.
From the days of Enosh son of Seth son of Adam, God had been worshiped as “Yahweh” (Genesis 4:26). In Hebrew “Yahweh” is third person singular, and means “HE IS.” Insight into this meaning is given in Revelation 1:8: “I am the A and the Z, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord God, “Who Is and Who Was and Who Is To Come, the Almighty.”
After the global Flood the human race forgot the Living God by paganizing His memory, and this came to a head at the Tower of the city of Bahbel. Its tower may have been what is called a “ziggurat,” which is thought to have been considered a man-made mountain whose top intersected the realm of the gods and the realm of humans. In addition, one scholar has said: “The ziggurat was a structure that was built to support the stairway (‘simmiltu’), which was believed to be used by the gods to travel from one realm to the other. It was solely for the convenience of the gods and was maintained in order to provide the deity with the amenities that would refresh him along the way (food, a place to lie and rest, etc.). The stairway led at the top to the gate of the gods, the entrance to the divine abode.”
The meaning of the Semitic name “Bahbel” is given in Genesis 11:9 from the Hebrew word “balal,” “confuse,” “because there Yahweh confused the language of the whole Earth.” It was a center for confusion of religion which resulted in the confusion of languages. “From there Yahweh scattered them abroad over the whole face of the Earth.” The city was unfinished and abandoned, paving the way for other completed cities to be remembered in pagan civilization as the first city. (To read a very interesting article on this subject, visit the Answers in Genesis website and search for "Where in the World is the Tower of Babel?".)
Bahbel was a turning point for the human race. It was the birth of what the Scriptures call “the World system.” There God was rejected, so He disinherited the nations. This is revealed in Deuteronomy 32:8-9 as translated in The Jerusalem Bible (JB) of 1966: “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided the sons of men, he fixed their bounds according to the number of the sons of God [this is the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) reading, which the ancient Greek translation known as the Septuagint (LXX) paraphrased as the angels of God. It means the 70 fallen angels who took over the original 70 nations]; but Yahweh’s portion was his people, Jacob his share of inheritance.” “See, a people dwelling apart, not reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9).
God provided to raise up and Himself govern the nation of Israel, with the Angel of Yahweh (Yahweh Himself manifested on Earth) and also Michael an archangel standing guard over them (Exodus 14:19; Judges 2:1-5; Daniel 10:12-13, 21 with 12:1). This was in order that through Israel “the whole earth, from end to end, will remember and come back to Yahweh” (Psalm 22:27). Israel was to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6), a witness to His Name.
That Name also has two short forms: “Yah” (as J = Y in “halleluJah [All of you praise Yah]”), and “Yahu” (as in “Benjamin NetanYahu [Yahu has given]”, English spelling Nethaniah). The pronunciation “Yaho” was used by the Jews of the Diaspora temple on Elephantine Island in the Nile River near Aswan, Egypt (which may have been a stopping place for the Ark of the Covenant on its way to Ethiopia. Visit the BASE Institute website to order the book or DVD or digital video download of “Search for the Ark of the Covenant” by Robert Cornuke.)
Today the long form of God’s Name “Yahweh” is often mispronounced “Jehovah.” All three forms are obscured in the well-meaning but man-made Jewish tradition of guarding reverence for God’s Name by substituting “Adonai” [my Lord] when reading the Hebrew Scriptures aloud. That tradition is followed in most English translations by rendering “Yahweh” as “the LORD” or “GOD” with all capital letters, or a capital first letter with lowercase letters. Because Yahweh IS, this certainly includes the concept that He is Lord, but the meaning of His Name is broader than simply that. (All of these substitutions produce confusion because “The Lord” is used in the Scriptures as a separate title for God as well.)
It was to this Greatest One (hallelu Yah) that the people of Israel “confessed their loyalty” at Mt. Horeb in the Sinai Desert of northwest Saudi Arabia (Exodus 3:1, 19:1-8, 24:1-8, 33:6; Galatians 4:25). It was there that “all the people answered together, and said, ‘All that Yahweh has spoken we will do!’ ” (Exodus 19:8, 24:3,7). Then over the centuries the Law of Moses exposed their lack of “embodied fidelity” and their need of a Savior (Matthew 1:21). This was a purpose of the Law (Romans 5:20; Galatians 3:24).
At last the prophet John the Baptist revealed that a major function of “the Messiah, the Son of God” (John 1:34, 11:27, 20:31) was to be “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Look to Him! To believe that “Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah, the Anointed One]” is to rely on Him apart from works as “the Savior of the world,” Who guarantees the free gift of unending and unforfeitable life in the present, with future bodily resurrection (John 4:42, 11:25-27). Both the Jewish verse John 1:29 and the Samaritan verse John 4:42 intend that you should substitute your own personal name where it says “the world.”
The Gospel: As According to John was written to persuade people to rely on Jesus as the Christ in order to receive everlasting life (John 20:31), and to enter into an abundant experience of that life (John 10:10). The Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) were written to edify those who continue as disciples. The Synoptics show us that during the earthly ministry of Jesus His commandments and teachings which were prior to the Cross included expositions of the Law designed to smash self-righteousness and prepare people for His coming great salvation. Those expositions serve the same function today, only pointing us back to the Cross and the indwelling holy Spirit.
On pages 10-13 the author rejects this interpretation of Christ's subtle technique. For example, in the passage where the Rich Young Ruler asked what he must do to inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 18:18-27), the author says Jesus told him he was keeping the Ten Commandments and only needed to add selling everything, giving to the poor, and following Him. Rather, Jesus was showing him that he was breaking the Ten Commandments by having an idol in his heart (James 2:10). When this dawned on him, he could receive the salvation revealed in the Gospel. “A person is not declared righteous by doing works prescribed by law, but by relying on Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).
In the beginning was “the Logos,” the Word, the Wisdom of God, Who was with God and was Himself God (John 1:1; Isaiah 41:4; Revelation 1:8, 17-18, 2:8, 22:13). He created symbolic Lady Wisdom of the book of Proverbs to represent Him as His agent, a real inherent principle throughout the universe (Proverbs 3:16-19, 8:18-31). “In her right hand is length of days, and in her left hand are riches and honor.” Millennia later, the Wisdom of God Himself became Jesus. Jesus did not become God; Yahweh the Creator became Man the creature while yet remaining the Creator (John 1:14; Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1:8, 17-18, 2:8, 22:13). In Jesus’ right hand is the free gift of everlasting life; in His left hand are riches and honor in the future manifestation of His Kingdom.
On pages 108-109 the author mocks those who believe in a distinction between the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne of the Last Judgment. The Judgment Seat of Christ occurs before the beginning of the Millennium, the 1000-year prelude to the New Heavens and the New Earth (Isaiah 65:17-25, especially verse 20; Revelation 20:1-6). This judgment is to evaluate only the works resulting in either loss or great rewards bringing riches and honor to joyfully serve Jesus the King of kings (Matthew 5:12; Romans 14:10-12; I Corinthians 2:2 with 3:10-15, 6:2-3, 9:24-27; II Corinthians 5:9-11; II Timothy 1:16-18; James 2:12-13, 3:1; Revelation 3:11, 20:4-5, 22:12-13). The Great White Throne after the Millennium is to reveal the eternal destiny of the lost (Revelation 20:11-15).
In his argument against this distinction the author appeals to Romans 2:5-8. Like many translators, he doesn't recognize that there is an “inclusio” (a passage bracketed or bookended by related words and themes) beginning in Romans 1:18 and ending with a period or a question mark after Romans 2:5. The subject of the inclusio is the revelation through the Cross of God's present wrath against all sin. Romans 2:6-7 then does say that works will be brought up at the Final Judgment, but that passage is only describing the “operating principles” of God's way of judging. If at the Great White Throne anyone can be found who always without fail sought for “glory and honor and incorruptibility,” they will be given eternal life. But no one will be found.
In John 5:24 Jesus says that those who hear His word and rely on God the Father as the One Who sent Him do not come into judgment, but already have crossed over out of death into eternal life; so they will not be judged at the Great White Throne. There the books will be opened and the works of the lost will be entered into evidence to prove that their works could not save them. Every mouth will be shut by each one being shown to have been guilty before God. Yet, because Jesus is the objective Propitiation (appeasing satisfaction-of-justice sacrifice) He has redeemed (paid for and set free) every one of us. He took away the past, present and future sins of every individual of all history of the entire world! (John 1:29; I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 5:19; I John 2:2).
Ezekiel chapters 2 and 3 tell us how God informed Ezekiel up front that even though He was sending him to prophesy to the Israelites, they would not listen; yet Ezekiel would not be a failure, for “they shall know that there has been a prophet among them” (Ezekiel 2:5). In the same way at the Last Judgment, the lost shall know that there has been a universal Redeemer among them. They will have tragically ignored Him, but He did not fail in His great work. His death on the cross insured that the lost will not perish because of the guilt of their sins.
Instead, the Book of Life will be opened, which contains the names of all those who, through faith, have been born again from above with the resurrection life of Jesus (John 3:3,7; II Corinthians 5:20; I Peter 1:3). By God’s foreknowledge their names were written in the Book of Life from the founding of the world (Revelation 13:8 word-ordered with Revelation 17:8).
Those who have remained in a condition of being spiritually dead will reap the specific thing they have sown. They will not perish because of the guilt of their sins, but sin killed them by cutting them off from God’s kind of life, and they neglected to receive that life from the One Who freely gives it (Ephesians 4:18; Revelation 22:17). Consequently, they cannot dwell with God among the living. There is only one place to go; they will share the fate of the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Whoever will not be found written in the Book of Life will burn forever in the ultimate horror, the Second Death, the Lake of Fire (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 14:11, 20:14-15).
Only the blood of the Messiah is sufficient for the kind of justification (status of righteousness pronounced by God) which leads to life (Romans 4:2, 5:8-9, 5:18). This first kind of justification is by faith alone. In I Corinthians 1:30 it is bodily crucified, bodily resurrected and bodily exalted Christ Jesus Who gave Himself to us as our only righteousness. As a result, He also gave Himself to us as eternal life (Colossians 3:4; I John 1:1-2, 5:20). Therefore, it is only faith that lays hold of the Christ. Simple faith has Christ Himself within it, so that He is our righteousness and faith is credited to us as righteousness (Romans 4:22-25).
The author's book is one more effort to make justification before God the result of faith PLUS good works. This is “Galatianism”—“another gospel” and “accursed”! So says the Lord through Paul, Galatians 1:6-9.
James 2:14-26 uses the ancient philosophy-classroom format called the diatribe (James speaks, verses 14-17; an Objector objects, verses 18-19; James replies, verses 20-26). Teaching Yahweh’s inbreathing of Wisdom in the manner of a practical moralist philosopher similar to the Stoic Epictetus, James says that even though his students have been born again from above (James 1:17-18), faith without works is “dead” in the sense that by itself it cannot “save” them from losing the experience of their daily lives for God.
An imaginary student objects: “The day you can show me faith “without” works will be the day I can show you faith “from” works. Both are equally impossible, since there is no real connection between faith and works. Why, even the demons rely on God as their Judge, but they only do evil works!” James’ response is traditional diatribe rhetorical hardball: “You empty man! I will show you that the good works of Abraham did not take away his sins before God, but on a specific occasion they co-operated with his faith. Students, all of you see then that this is the second kind of justification, the kind by works [James 2:24]. It means that by faith expressed in good works not only the honored patriarch Abraham but even the Canaanite prostitute Rahab was justified (that is, declared righteous) in front of PEOPLE.”
In the same way good works are essential for discipleship, the Christian lifestyle, as Jesus said: “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, the One Who is in the heavens” (Matthew 5:16).
Throughout my life I’ve felt hidden heartbreak that my light is often obscured by my dark side. If you have felt or now feel the same way, please allow me to recommend a little book that’s been a big help: “Six Secrets of the Christian Life,” by Zane C. Hodges. It’s published by the Grace Evangelical Society (GES), P.O. Box 1308, Denton, Texas 76202 USA. Their phone number is 1-940-270-8827. You can also order “Six Secrets of the Christian Life” on their website, or from other sellers online, where you may get either the first or the second edition. The content is the same, but the second edition has study questions. It’s copyrighted 2016, ISBN 978-1943399130. I’ve found it best to read it repeatedly, so I can meditate on its secrets and anchor them in my consciousness.
We become disciples by continuing in Jesus’ word (John 8:31-32). Our baptismal washing in water is a public sign and seal that our physical bodies belong to Jesus (Hebrews 10:22; Romans 4:11). Apostle Peter says faith expressed in baptism “saves” us “from this twisted generation” (Acts 2:40), since baptism is an “answer” (a pledge of allegiance) of a discipleship “conscience toward God” (I Peter 3:21). We are then strengthened by the communion of the Bread and the Cup (I Corinthians 10:16), and are known as disciples by love received from the holy Spirit (John 13:35; Galatians 5:6, 22-23). In each of these things--by faith--something genuinely supernatural happens to increase our bodily experience of union with Christ.
Still, that unbreakable union itself is turned on in the first moment of receiving everlasting-for-me, endless and nonforfeitable life by God’s unearned love and kindness through ONE ACT OF HANDING MYSELF OVER--to God’s promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus ALONE.
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