Why doesn't God get rid of people who do evil acts?

I'm sure we've all wondered, "Why does God let bad things happen to good people? Why doesn't He just get rid of those who do evil things?"

A while ago, I read the book "The Shack" by William P Young, and also watched the movie. Both have helped me see things from God's perspective in several ways.

In Chapter 10, Mack (the main character) is with Jesus and questions why God doesn't just take control of the world to protect its beauty. Jesus explains that God doesn't want to impose His will because relationships should be built on love and respect, not authority.

In Chapter 11, <-- This link gives a summary and analysis of Ch. 11

In Chapter 11 of "The Shack," titled "Here Come Da Judge," Mack enters a mysterious cavern where he encounters a regal, olive-skinned woman standing behind a large ebony desk. This woman, representing a persona of God, engages Mack in a profound conversation about judgment, love, and the nature of God's affection for humanity. She challenges Mack's preconceptions, particularly around the tragic loss of his daughter, Missy, and guides him to a deeper understanding of judgment and love. The chapter delves into themes of divine love, human judgment, and the complexities of faith in the face of unspeakable loss.

I highly recommend the book or the movie. It's thought-provoking.

We are all God's children, and He wishes that none of us should have to die. He is patient and forgiving, giving us every opportunity to respond to Him in faith; He is long-suffering. To be children of God, we too must become long-suffering, praying for all people, even our enemies, to come to know Father God and his son Jesus. This is eternal life (John 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

What is Your Belief System?

What do you believe? What religion do you belong to? Are you agnostic? Even if you are agnostic, you still have a belief system. Whatever your beliefs, think deeply about this: Could you say that LOVE is at the core of whatever you believe? I think we can all agree that we desire peace instead of wars. This is because there is THAT of God in all of us: LOVE.

Why be so strict and demanding in our religions? Why say, "You have to believe the way I believe, or you are not a good [insert religion here]"? Why prevent people from talking with others who are not of the same faith? I have learned and am still learning so much by talking with people who are not like me. I am finding out that there are great similarities in our beliefs, such as sharing what we have with others, showing compassion, having empathy, etc. These are all Christlike characteristics. It's because of that part of God in all of us.

If you don't know Yeshua/Jesus, you are missing out on so much. Jesus is God's son who willingly came to earth, and became human, for us. He lived a life that was perfectly obedient to Father God's laws, so that he could be the spotless lamb who was sacrificed for our sins, all our sins. If we recognize our true state, that we are sinners, and we want to change, we can repent. Having God--Jesus--the Holy Spirit in our lives teaches us about God's kingdom.

God/Allah is One

I believe that the phrase "God is One" is often subject to misinterpretation and here is why.

Islamic Belief: Muslims have faith in Allah as the sole, all-powerful God, the Sovereign and the Creator. They place their trust and fear solely in Him.

Jewish Belief: Jews uphold the belief in a singular, incomparable God.

Christian Belief: Christians adhere to the belief in only one God, as stated in Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6; Galatians 4:8-9. Christianity, however, introduces the Trinity concept, sparking considerable debate and conflict with other faiths. The Trinity denotes the triune nature of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as referenced in Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; John 14:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 2:32-33; John 10:30, 17:11, 21; 1 Peter 1:2.

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This notion has even led to confusion among Christians themselves. 

Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all profess belief in a singular God. Yet, in the creation narratives of the Quran, Tanakh, and Bible, God is frequently mentioned using plural pronouns (WE, US, OUR). It would arguably be more logical to use singular pronouns (I, ME, MY) to underscore God's singularity. This is the basis for my view that the statement "God is One" is not fully understood.

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Examples:

Islam: The Quran quotes God: "Indeed, We created man from a mingled sperm-drop, to test him; thus, We gave him hearing and sight. His procreation stems from various elements, fitting his multifaceted role in the universe, necessitating a broad spectrum of attributes. Does man not recall that We created him previously when he was nothing? (19:68) And We made every living thing from water... (21:31) Did We not create you from a trivial fluid, which We placed in a secure environment? (77:22)" (21 The Prophets - al-Anbiya)

> "Do the disbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were one mass, and We tore them apart? And We made from water every living thing. Will they not believe? And We placed on earth stabilizers, lest it sways with them, and We placed therein signposts and passages, that they may be guided. And We made the sky a protected ceiling; yet they turn away from its wonders. It is He who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon; each floating in an orbit. We did not grant immortality to any human being before you. Should you die, are they then the immortal? Every soul will taste death. We burden you with adversity and prosperity—a test. And to Us you will be returned." (21:30-35)

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In Judaism, the Tanakh says: "And God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.' And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:26-27)

"And the LORD God said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; now, lest he reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.'" (Genesis 3:22)

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In Christianity, the Old Testament (similar to the Tanakh) states: "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, over the cattle, over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:26-27)

"The Lord God said, 'The human has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, so that he does not reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.'" (Genesis 3:22)

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The true meaning of "ONE" and "GOD IS ONE" can be further understood through the words of Jesus (Yeshua).

First, Jesus stated that He existed with the Father before the world was created, which explains the plural form of God in creation: "Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world was created." (John 17:5)

Jesus also declared that He and the Father are One: "I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:11)

When we accept Jesus into our lives and receive the Holy Spirit, we become one with Christ: > "We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other." (Romans 12:4-5)

Another way to understand “God is One” is to see God like we see a man and a woman who, through marriage, become one.

Stressful Times

Our US elections are coming up next Tuesday November 5, 2024. It is possible that Donald J. Trump could be elected as our president and personally, I do not feel that will be a good thing.

Trump and his allies appear to be following a strategy reminiscent of tactics used by Hitler and the Nazis. The initial goal is to secure enough popular support to win the presidency, while simultaneously working to undermine or eliminate opposition. If elected, their "Project 2025" blueprint could be enacted, potentially leading to the removal of those seen as threats or undesirable by those in power. This vision could include establishing a national religion, controlling media, and imposing increasing restrictions on freedoms.

If you support him and his allies, you may be unwittingly aiding this agenda. Right now, you may be useful in this pursuit of power but remember; those who outlive their usefulness may find themselves discarded or worse.

Have you noticed how more and more countries are falling under authoritarian rule, and how these leaders are starting to join forces? It’s unsettling to think about leaders like Putin and Kim Jong-un strengthening their alliance, with reports suggesting that North Korea might even be sending troops to support Russia in Ukraine. So many people caught in this struggle become pawns in a dangerous quest for power. If Trump were to become president again, many fear he will take an authoritarian approach here in the U.S., and the thought of him aligning with leaders like Putin is deeply troubling. It could put democratic values at risk in ways that would impact all of us, reshaping our world in ways we may not yet fully understand.

I wrote a post back in 2013 that I think may be very helpful to read and think about.

'Where's God"

The Future of Our Planet Earth

https://sl.bing.net/iM3CkD4zgIu

I envision two potential futures for Earth, heavily influenced by the outcome of the 2024 United States presidential election. If Trump is elected, I fear a catastrophic future where our planet is ravaged by fire. Conversely, if Kamala Harris wins, I see a unifying force through the Holy Spirit, guiding people to alter the course of climate change.

Under Trump's presidency, I'm concerned we may witness a historical regression reminiscent of Hitler and the Nazis, with Trump potentially ruling as a dictator. Several former administration officials have labeled him a fascist, a sentiment echoed by General Milly. I worry that they will eliminate dissent, implement the measures outlined in Project 2025, and seize complete control, nationalizing religion and the media, thereby intensifying climate change to the point of global destruction by fire.

However, at political rallies led by Harris and Walz, I've observed a diverse coalition of individuals, including those historically marginalized, which fills me with hope. Native Americans, in particular, show a profound respect for our lands and a desire to safeguard them. Joined by many from various cultures and backgrounds who wish well for our planet, I believe that with the Holy Spirit's guidance, positive change is possible.

Hypocrisy

When I woke up this morning, I was thinking about hypocrisy.

Bible verses on hypocrisy:

1 John 4:20

New International Version

20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

1 Peter 2:16

New International Version

16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

Galatians 6:3

New International Version

3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

Jeremiah 23:11

New International Version

11 “Both prophet and priest are godless;

    even in my temple I find their wickedness,”

declares the Lord.

Luke 6:46

New International Version

The Wise and Foolish Builders

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Luke 12:2

New International Version

2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

Mark 7:6

New International Version

6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,

    but their hearts are far from me.

Matthew 6:1

New International Version

Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Romans 10:3

New International Version

3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

Titus 1:16

New International Version

16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Matthew 23:27-28

New International Version

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Luke 20:46-47

New International Version

46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

James 1:22-23

New International Version

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror

Matthew 6:16-18

New International Version

Fasting

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 7:21-23

New International Version

True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

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I am writing about this because there are some in congress who want to change the way the United States of America operates. They want our laws and the way the country is run based on their interpretation of the Bible. God is perfect, man is not. If those who create our laws are not willing to obey them themselves, then they are hypocrites. 

Intriguing Thought

This morning, I had an intriguing thought. In every language on Earth, we have different names for the same entity. For instance, I call God “Father God” or simply “God,” and I refer to Jesus as “Jesus” or sometimes “Yeshua.” In Spanish, God is called “Dios,” “Señor,” or “Padre,” and in Mexico, the Child Jesus is known as “Niño Dios,” “Chucho,” or “Chuy.”

Regardless of the country we live in or the language we speak, the image of God in our minds is likely quite similar. The same goes for Jesus.

It’s truly amazing to think that God can communicate with all of us in our own languages simultaneously, and Jesus can do the same.

This led me to wonder if God has a native language. Jesus existed with Father God long before creation. Does Jesus have a native language, and is it the same as Father God’s? Since Jesus is known as the Son of God, I imagine they would share the same native language. However, perhaps language, as we understand it, doesn’t exist in God’s realm.

This is what I pondered this morning. If God and Jesus have a native language, what would their names be? Would we even be able to pronounce them? I know, these are kind of unusual thoughts.

Can You Love; Without God?

Can someone who does not believe in a god, love? I believe that they can because there is "that of God in everyone". 

What do Quakers mean by the “Inner Light”?

Here's their answer;

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Here is the problem:

Imagine if we could love all the time—there would be peace, wouldn't there? Picture this: you have a close friend; someone you always enjoy being with. Life feels peaceful. But then something happens, and that peace is shattered. You stop communicating, and suddenly, you don’t want to see them anymore.

This is where Jesus comes in. He did what he did to restore peace, just like a mediator who steps in to heal the broken bond between friends. Jesus would do whatever it takes to bring you back together—even if it meant giving his life.

That's how deeply Father God and His Son, Jesus, love us. They will go to any length to restore peace.

God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to take on human form. There needed to be a human who could live a flawless life, fully upholding the law, to stand in our place. It wasn't enough for God to simply forgive our sins without justice. Jesus, out of love for the Father and for us, willingly accepted this mission.

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Love is not a solitary feeling; it thrives in connection with others.

Love is a deep emotional bond that transcends mere affection or attraction. It's a multifaceted experience that can encompass feelings of care, compassion, respect, and connection toward others or oneself. Love can manifest in different forms, such as romantic love, familial love, friendship, and self-love, each with its unique dynamics. At its core, love often involves selflessness, vulnerability, and a genuine desire for the well-being of another.

Obeying The Laws VS Love

I had an interesting thought last Sunday morning.

Jews teach about the laws and obeying them. Gentiles - Christians teach about love. If you love but you don't know the laws, will that cause you to obey the laws? Or if you're a Jew and you obey the laws, does that cause you to love?

Here is what ChatGPT came up with:

This question touches on deep theological and philosophical ideas about the relationship between love and law, particularly in the context of Jewish and Christian teachings.

### Jewish Perspective:

In Judaism, the laws (mitzvot) are central to religious practice. They are seen as God's commandments and a way to live a holy and righteous life. While the law is fundamental, it is not merely about external obedience but also about cultivating a relationship with God and fellow humans. The Torah emphasizes love, such as in the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). In this sense, love and law are intertwined; obeying the laws is seen as an expression of love for God and for others.

### Christian Perspective:

In Christianity, particularly in the New Testament, there is a strong emphasis on love as the fulfillment of the law. For example, in Romans 13:10, it says, "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law." The idea is that if one truly loves God and others, they will naturally fulfill the moral requirements of the law. Love is seen as the guiding principle that transcends and encompasses the law.

### Interaction Between Love and Law:

1. **If You Love but Don’t Know the Laws:** From a Christian perspective, genuine love can lead to a natural alignment with the moral essence of the law. Love motivates actions that are in harmony with the ethical teachings found in the law. However, without knowledge of the specific laws, a person might unintentionally overlook certain aspects of moral or ritual behavior that are emphasized in religious teachings.

2. **If You Obey the Laws, Does That Cause You to Love?**: From a Jewish perspective, the practice of the laws is intended to cultivate a relationship with God and others. Obeying the laws can indeed foster love, as it involves engaging with the community and living out the values of justice, kindness, and mercy. However, mere obedience without understanding or intention might not lead to love. The laws are ideally obeyed with a heart full of love and devotion, which deepens the experience of those laws.

In summary, love and law are not mutually exclusive. In Judaism, obeying the laws can lead to love, especially when done with the right intention. In Christianity, love is seen as fulfilling the law, and a person who truly loves will naturally act in ways that align with the law’s moral imperatives. Both traditions suggest that love and law are deeply interconnected, and each can lead to the other when approached with the right mindset.

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Then I thought, we are all sinners and have broken the peace between each other and God. God's son, Yeshua Jesus, came to earth as a human, lived a perfect obedient life, so he could be the spotless sacrifice for our disobedience so that peace may be restored. We can repent and accept the forgiveness provided to us through his sacrifice?

Repenting means that we want to change, and God wants to help us with that as well.

A Righteous Man

 A righteous man is someone who follows moral principles and ethical conduct, consistently striving to do what is right, just, and fair in all their actions and interactions. Such a person embodies qualities like honesty, integrity, compassion, and a strong sense of justice. In many religious and philosophical traditions, a righteous man is also seen as living in accordance with divine or spiritual laws. 

In my view, none of these qualities are evident in Trump. It appears to me that Trump does not advance the gospel of Yeshua (Jesus Christ); instead, he seems to use Christianity to further his own agenda.

Separation of Church and State

 

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects religious liberty by limiting the government's authority to civil issues and preventing it from establishing a religion.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

In countries where a dictator is in control, the main religion often becomes a powerful tool for maintaining authority and control over the populace. These regimes frequently leverage religion to legitimize their rule, unify the country under a common identity, and suppress dissent.

1. **Legitimizing Authority**: Dictators often claim divine right or portray themselves as chosen by a higher power. By aligning themselves with religious leaders or symbols, they create a narrative that their leadership is sanctioned by a higher authority, discouraging opposition on moral or spiritual grounds.

2. **Unifying the Population**: Religion can be a unifying force, and dictators exploit this by promoting a single, state-approved interpretation of the main religion. This fosters a sense of national unity and identity, making it easier to mobilize the population for the regime's goals and to isolate and demonize those who do not conform.

3. **Suppressing Dissent**: Religious doctrines and institutions are used to justify the suppression of opposition. Dictators may label dissenters as heretics or enemies of the faith, thereby framing political opposition as a moral and religious transgression. This not only justifies harsh crackdowns but also discourages people from voicing dissent due to fear of social and religious ostracization.

4. **Control of Religious Institutions**: Dictators often place loyalists in key positions within religious institutions or create state-controlled religious organizations. This ensures that religious teachings and activities align with the regime’s interests, preventing religious leaders from becoming sources of opposition.

5. **Propaganda and Indoctrination**: Religious rhetoric and symbols are integrated into state propaganda. Schools, media, and public events emphasize religious teachings that support the dictator’s narrative, creating an environment where the regime's ideology is seen as intertwined with religious duty.

In summary, dictators exploit religion as a multifaceted tool to reinforce their power, suppress opposition, and unify the populace under their rule. This manipulation of faith not only consolidates their control but also makes it harder for opposition movements to gain traction in a society where religious and political identities are closely intertwined.

Elijah Must Come and Restore All Things

Matthew 17:10-11

New International Version

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.

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This was said by Yeshua (Jesus) during his first appearance, when he came to take away the sins of the world. Jesus went on and hinted that John the Baptist was Elijah (in the spirit). John preached repentance. It's hard to say how successful his efforts were. He made some people mad, and they eventually killed him, like what happened to Jesus. 

Before the end time, and before Yeshua (Jesus) returns, Elijah is supposed to return. The Old Testament (Bible) prophecies say this:

  Malachi 4:5-6

New International Version

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

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I read the message to be, repent and start loving, or else earth or the un-repentant will be destroyed.

I am reminded of cities in the Bible where the inhabitance did evil in the site of God. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, and the city of Nineveh was spared.

The story about Sodom and Gomorrah took place during the time of Abraham. Genesis 18-19 From what I gathered reading about it, the people were destroyed because they would not listen to anything that was said to them and did whatever they wanted. God found none to be righteous.

The story about Nineveh can be found in the book of Jonah. In this story Jonah goes to the city of Nineveh (all the people were also doing evil in the sight of God). He warns them that they would soon be destroyed. Every one of them heeded his warning and repented. God relented and spared them.

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6/10/24

I woke up this morning with this on my mind, "Purify my heart"

https://youtu.be/RNCkYP_OchQ?si=HRnL0wwuBmSGjeIQ

LOVE

I woke up early this morning and I remembered that I was dreaming about LOVE. I was specifically dreaming about the medic, Desmond Doss, who is credited with saving more than 70 solders lives, even enemy soldiers', during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II in the Pacific. He did it without carrying any kind of protection for himself. He refused to carry a weapon or take a person's life. When he enlisted into the Army, he told them this and was almost rejected for service. They thought that he wouldn't make a good solder, but they took him anyway. He went through literal hell from his commanders and fellow soldiers, but he never quit/gave up. Click the link and go down to the 'Synopsis' of the movie. The movie, 'Hacksaw Ridge', based on true events. It is well worth seeing if you haven't already. (maybe without children). His whole character was amazing, hard to believe, and is one example of LOVE (AGAPE LOVE). The kind of LOVE that Father God and his son, Yeshua (Jesus) has.

I've been thinking a lot about my life lately. I cannot remember if I have ever loved that deeply. The Bible talks about God's chosen. Jesus said that his disciples were the ones his Father God gave him, specifically chosen. I wonder now, are God's chosen the only ones who have that kind of LOVE? I am not saying that we can't love unless we've been chosen by God. I kind of think our love may not be Agape Love, but some flavor under that.

I remember that on the day of Judgement there are many books that will be opened. But there is one book that stands apart from all the others. It is called the Book of Life, God's chosen. If we could see those who God has chosen, I think we might be quite surprised by those He has picked.

Here is a thought about how to obtain LOVE. Repent, empty self; my will dies. Ask Yeshua (Jesus) in and his will takes over.

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All of a sudden, I am being reminded of a number of old posts:

Monday, August 3, 2020 ---- Love

Sunday, June 24, 2018 ----- Love Thy Enemy

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5/5/2024

Talking about coincidences. This morning at church, our pastor had a sermon on LOVE. His favorite scripture verses on the subject are 1 Corinthians 13; mine too.

1 Corinthians 13

New International Version

13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Judgment Day

Judgment Day

If today were Judgment Day, Yeshua (Jesus) has finished putting a spotlight on your life, and he tells you to go away, he never knew you, how would you feel? How would I feel?

If today were it, Judgment Day, I don’t believe that I would do well. So many things I have done and not done. I think that what I would regret most is missing the opportunities to talk with someone. I will get kind of a inclination to talk with someone. I mull it over in my mind why not to and why I should. If I finally decide to do it, go talk with them, more often than not, it is too late. The person is gone. Whenever we feel the need to meet someone, just do it. Don’t think, just do it. These opportunities go away quickly.

In the book "Celestine Prophecy" it calls these opportunities coincidences. They are important to us and have great meaning. If not at that very moment, then for a later time.

I've repented a number of times but seem to fall back into my same old person. I think, how can God put up with me?  His Son, Yeshua (Jesus) went through unimaginable things so that I could be forgiven. Why can’t I honor him? Why can’t I honor Father God for His plan to save us? Such Love those two have for us…...

We can ask forgiveness today and after seeing that we fail, we can ask forgiveness and try again. One day the disciple Peter asked Yeshua (Jesus), "How many times should I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus tells him, "Not seven times, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-35)

God is patient with us, but His patience is finite. Some day we will be judged. No one but Father God knows when that will be.

Forgiveness is circular or reciprocal. If we forgive then we are forgiven.

Matthew 6:14-15

New International Version

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

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Think about what Yeshua (Jesus) went through, for us all, so that we could have forgiveness.

Here are the crucifixion stories in the Bible:

Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19 

He endured things beyond our comprehension. He did it for all of us.

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If being fearful of God makes you do good works, then be afraid. If doing good works is for rewards at Judgment Day, then that is for your benefit. Doing good works because you LOVE is the ultimate reason. LOVE like Father God and Yeshua (Jesus) LOVE. I think this may be what "The Way" means in the Bible.

John 14:6

New International Version

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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John 14:15-16

New International Version

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—

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4/24/2024

I was looking through some of my old posts and came across 'The faith that justified Abraham'. This is a long read but I feel like it goes very well with this post and the 'Good Works' post.

Good Works

I've been thinking. Why do we do good works?

If I understand correctly, the Muslims do good works for rewards at the judgement day. Allah (God) looks at the good and the bad things we do and if the good things outweigh the bad things, then we are rewarded somehow.

With the Jews, they do good works because of the laws. Yahweh (God) looks with favor on the Jew who obeys the laws.

I am not sure any more about Christians. Some say that simply having faith will save us and there are plenty of scripture verses in in Bible to suggest this to be true. A popular verse is Ephesians 2:8-9

New International Version

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

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And then there are these verses:

James 2:14-26

New International Version

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

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So, some Christians try to have faith and do good works but so often will fail at some point in their lives.

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A Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus came to Yeshua (Jesus) one night and started asking him questions. Jesus said something very interesting and puzzling. He said, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Here is the exchange of words between Nicodemus and Jesus:

John 3:5-21

New International Version

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[a] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[b] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[c]

9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[d] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[e] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[f]

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

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True children of God do good works out of LOVE. They do it because they LOVE Father God. They do it because they LOVE Yeshua (Jesus). And they do it because they LOVE the people. This is agape love, the highest form of love, the same LOVE God and Jesus have for all human beings.

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4/24/2024

I was looking through some of my old posts and came across 'The faith that justified Abraham'. This is a long read but I feel like it goes very well with this post and the 'Judgement Day' post.

Compassion and Love

I have often thought that compassion and love are one in the same, but I no longer think so. 

I have been thinking about my life recently and am ashamed. I can have compassion for others but that is about as far as it goes. Love is doing something with that compassion. Think about Father God and His Son, Yeshua (Jesus). They always do something with their compassion, LOVE.

John 3:16

New International Version

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 3:16 (New International Version)

 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 3

New International Version

3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

More on Love and Hatred

11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[b] if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Easter -- Passover -- Ramadan ---Yeshua Jesus Is the Messiah

From what I understand about Muslims, they believe that Yeshua Jesus is just a prophet. The Jews don't accept Yeshua Jesus as the Messiah. Both don't believe that Jesus is who he says he is because they think he disobeyed God's laws. Was Jesus disobedient? NO, on the contrary; he was perfectly obedient. He obeyed all God's laws. Isn't LOVE most important? All the laws are summed up in this one decree: "LOVE your neighbor as yourself." 

Romans 13:8-10

New International Version

Love Fulfills the Law

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

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If the law seems to say don't do something but LOVE says, do it, doesn't Father God want us to do it? In all the things that Jesus did where Jews and Muslims say that Jesus disobeyed God's laws, he did them out of LOVE? Everything he did was out of LOVE for his Father God and LOVE for people. 

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The Passover lamb, the Messiah, had to be perfect, without blemish. He had to be one of us, so Jesus came into this world the same way as we do. His mother was human but no human father. God is his Father. Joseph was his surrogate earth father. It had to be this way so Jesus could experience everything we experience but without sin, completely, and perfectly obedient.

In my last post, I think "God is one"; "Alah is one" is misunderstood., I showed why I believe that Jesus was involved in creation. That he existed with Father God before everything was created. In all three holy books, Bible, Torah, Quran, the creator is plural, more than one. When man was created, two were created in God's image. In marriage, the two become ONE. Becoming ONE is the essence of LOVE.

I think "God is one"; "Alah is one" is misunderstood.

In the Christian Bible, the Jewish Tanakh, and the Islam Qur'an, God/Yahweh/Allah is said to be one. We think of this meaning a single Deity, but I don't think that this is the correct thinking of the word "one". I think that "one" is really Love in the purest sense of the word. Let me explain.

In the creation stories in all three holy books, the creator is often mentioned in a plural form ; we, us, our. If this "one" means a single creator, wouldn't it use the singular form; I, my?

Take the creation story of man in Genesis.

  Genesis 1:26-27

New International Version

26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, [a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image,

    in the image of God he created them;

    male and female he created them.

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Two are created in His image, "our image".

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I think that Yeshua (Jesus) was the other "us", "our". 

Jesus' words in John 17 are very revealing in many ways.

Jesus had glory with the Father before the world began.

John 17:4-5

New International Version

4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

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Jesus explains what eternal life is.

John 17:1-3

New International Version

Jesus Prays to Be Glorified

17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

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Jesus talks about the oneness, being one with the Father and for the disciples and other believers to be one as they are one.

 John 17:20-23

New International Version

Jesus Prays for All Believers

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

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Can you see now why I believe that saying God is one really means that God is LOVE? Love in the purest sense of the word. Who, other than a loving Father God, would offer his perfect obedient son as a living sacrifice for us, His sinful disobedient children? 

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John 17

New International Version

Jesus Prays to Be Glorified

17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by[c] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Jesus Prays for All Believers

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”