Coat Pocket Homilies
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Matters Of Conscience
Mankind was created in the image and likeness of God. So then, I think we
can safely assume that humanity came packaged with a sense of
responsibility, viz: a conscience.
But I remember what I told you;
That in time you're gonna pay.
Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away
Willie Nelson, Billy Walker, 1961
That song is correct about the ex girlfriend, but the singer neglects to take
into account his own responsibility.
There are folks out in the world who've never once heard and/or been taught
a single thing about the laws of God, but that doesn't let them off the hook
because no matter how faulty nor how reliable their sense of responsibility
might be, they will be held accountable for how much, and/or how little,
they let their conscience be their guide.
● Rom 2:14-16 . . Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by
nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even
though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of
the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness,
and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take
place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as
my gospel declares.
Now although retribution for uninformed folks will be lighter than those who
know better, they will still have to undergo some penalties.
● Luke 12:47-48 . .That servant who knows his master's will and does not
get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many
blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving
punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been
given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been
entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Anyway, point being: we needn't fret that uninformed folks throughout the
world won't get a fair shake.
_
Matters Of Conscience
Mankind was created in the image and likeness of God. So then, I think we
can safely assume that humanity came packaged with a sense of
responsibility, viz: a conscience.
But I remember what I told you;
That in time you're gonna pay.
Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away
Willie Nelson, Billy Walker, 1961
That song is correct about the ex girlfriend, but the singer neglects to take
into account his own responsibility.
There are folks out in the world who've never once heard and/or been taught
a single thing about the laws of God, but that doesn't let them off the hook
because no matter how faulty nor how reliable their sense of responsibility
might be, they will be held accountable for how much, and/or how little,
they let their conscience be their guide.
● Rom 2:14-16 . . Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by
nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even
though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of
the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness,
and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take
place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as
my gospel declares.
Now although retribution for uninformed folks will be lighter than those who
know better, they will still have to undergo some penalties.
● Luke 12:47-48 . .That servant who knows his master's will and does not
get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many
blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving
punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been
given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been
entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Anyway, point being: we needn't fret that uninformed folks throughout the
world won't get a fair shake.
_
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Grading On Curves
POSIT: I'm special; God understands me. Although He probably may not let
others off; I'm sure God will make an exception for me because I'm not like
other people; I'm different.
REPLY: Unfortunately, the Bible's God can't do that. If He were to make
exceptions, God would be neither equitable, nor honest-- and worse, it
would go against His grain, compromise His integrity, sin against His
conscience; and cause Him to lose the world's respect.
No, God doesn't grade on a curve: everyone is treated equally in God's
courtroom. In a system of divine absolutes; there is neither a curve nor an
exception: nobody gets any favors, nobody is special, and nobody is a
protected species.
● Deut 10:17 . . Jehovah shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
● Acts 10:34 . .Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that
God is impartial.
● Rom 2:5-11 . . For there is coming a day of judgment when God, the just
judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have
done. He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good,
seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
. . But He will pour out His anger and wrath on those who live for
themselves, who refuse to obey the truth; and practice evil deeds. There will
be anguish and calamity for everyone who practices evil-- for the Jew first
and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from
God for all practice good --for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God
does not show favoritism.
FAQ: The Jews don't have an edge? Aren't they supposed to be God's chosen
people?
REPLY: You've heard what's said about moths that circle too close to the
flame?
"Hear this word which Yahweh has spoken against you, sons of Israel,
against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt. You
only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will
punish you for all your iniquities." (Amos 3:1-2)
The Jews have the least excuse for non compliance with God's ways because
they were, and are, so well-informed.
"He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has
done this for no other nation." (Ps 147:19-20)
"They were entrusted with the oracles of God." (Rom 3:2, cf. Deut 4:5-8
_
Grading On Curves
POSIT: I'm special; God understands me. Although He probably may not let
others off; I'm sure God will make an exception for me because I'm not like
other people; I'm different.
REPLY: Unfortunately, the Bible's God can't do that. If He were to make
exceptions, God would be neither equitable, nor honest-- and worse, it
would go against His grain, compromise His integrity, sin against His
conscience; and cause Him to lose the world's respect.
No, God doesn't grade on a curve: everyone is treated equally in God's
courtroom. In a system of divine absolutes; there is neither a curve nor an
exception: nobody gets any favors, nobody is special, and nobody is a
protected species.
● Deut 10:17 . . Jehovah shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
● Acts 10:34 . .Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that
God is impartial.
● Rom 2:5-11 . . For there is coming a day of judgment when God, the just
judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have
done. He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good,
seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
. . But He will pour out His anger and wrath on those who live for
themselves, who refuse to obey the truth; and practice evil deeds. There will
be anguish and calamity for everyone who practices evil-- for the Jew first
and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from
God for all practice good --for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God
does not show favoritism.
FAQ: The Jews don't have an edge? Aren't they supposed to be God's chosen
people?
REPLY: You've heard what's said about moths that circle too close to the
flame?
"Hear this word which Yahweh has spoken against you, sons of Israel,
against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt. You
only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will
punish you for all your iniquities." (Amos 3:1-2)
The Jews have the least excuse for non compliance with God's ways because
they were, and are, so well-informed.
"He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has
done this for no other nation." (Ps 147:19-20)
"They were entrusted with the oracles of God." (Rom 3:2, cf. Deut 4:5-8
_
.
Jeffrey Dahmer et al
Serial killer Ed Kemper committed a number of unspeakable crimes against
women, but nevertheless guys in his situation are not beyond redemption.
● John 3:16-17 . . 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. For
God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save
the world through him.
The Greek word in that passage translated "loved" rarely has anything to do
with fondness and/or affection. It mostly pertains to benevolence, e.g.
kindness, courtesy, lenience, tolerance, generosity, charity, sympathy,
compassion, etc. In point of fact the supreme being is no doubt disgusted
with many of us because we bear little, if any, resemblance to the kind of
folks with whom He prefers to associate.
Nevertheless, God was thinking of everybody, including Ed Kemper, when
Jesus went to the cross.
● Isa 53:6 . .We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to
his own way; and The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
So if he had a mind to, Ed could take advantage of Jesus' crucifixion to
protect himself from retribution. However; he'd still be the same old Ed
Kemper, and in that state, Ed has some very serious issues with women that
are humanly impossible to cure.
Well; I've no doubt that Ed would be the first to tell you that women in
Heaven would be in very grave danger with him there if not for a way to
relieve Ed of his issues with women. Well, as a matter of fact, God is in the
wings for guys in Ed's condition and He's well able to peel Ed's negative
issues off him like a dead skin so he can depart this life a different man.
● Col 2:11-12 . . In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the
sinful nature-- not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with
the circumcision done by Christ.
Judaism has a physical circumcision, but Christianity's supernatural version
is much better because it has the power to liberate people from human
nature's rather disagreeable inclinations, viz: whereas Judaism's
circumcision is merely a ritual, Christianity's is an act of God.
_
Jeffrey Dahmer et al
Serial killer Ed Kemper committed a number of unspeakable crimes against
women, but nevertheless guys in his situation are not beyond redemption.
● John 3:16-17 . . 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. For
God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save
the world through him.
The Greek word in that passage translated "loved" rarely has anything to do
with fondness and/or affection. It mostly pertains to benevolence, e.g.
kindness, courtesy, lenience, tolerance, generosity, charity, sympathy,
compassion, etc. In point of fact the supreme being is no doubt disgusted
with many of us because we bear little, if any, resemblance to the kind of
folks with whom He prefers to associate.
Nevertheless, God was thinking of everybody, including Ed Kemper, when
Jesus went to the cross.
● Isa 53:6 . .We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to
his own way; and The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
So if he had a mind to, Ed could take advantage of Jesus' crucifixion to
protect himself from retribution. However; he'd still be the same old Ed
Kemper, and in that state, Ed has some very serious issues with women that
are humanly impossible to cure.
Well; I've no doubt that Ed would be the first to tell you that women in
Heaven would be in very grave danger with him there if not for a way to
relieve Ed of his issues with women. Well, as a matter of fact, God is in the
wings for guys in Ed's condition and He's well able to peel Ed's negative
issues off him like a dead skin so he can depart this life a different man.
● Col 2:11-12 . . In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the
sinful nature-- not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with
the circumcision done by Christ.
Judaism has a physical circumcision, but Christianity's supernatural version
is much better because it has the power to liberate people from human
nature's rather disagreeable inclinations, viz: whereas Judaism's
circumcision is merely a ritual, Christianity's is an act of God.
_
.
Some folks, even a few card-carrying Christians here and there, who, for
personal reasons, resent men like Jeffery Dahmer and Ed Kemper and don't
want them spared retribution-- sort of like the prophet Jonah who went into
a mood when God spared Nineveh because he really wanted that city
destroyed.
_
Some folks, even a few card-carrying Christians here and there, who, for
personal reasons, resent men like Jeffery Dahmer and Ed Kemper and don't
want them spared retribution-- sort of like the prophet Jonah who went into
a mood when God spared Nineveh because he really wanted that city
destroyed.
_
.
The Way To Die To Live Again
There are two ways to undergo retribution for one's sins.
A very disagreeable way is the lake of fire depicted by Rev 20:11-15. That's
not a good option because for one thing: it's a mode of death akin to a
foundry worker falling into a kettle of molten iron, and for another: nobody
comes back from it.
A second way to undergo death for one's sins is via the cross because for
one thing: it's very agreeable, and for another: everyone comes back from it.
In some mysterious way that has thus far eluded my sense of fair play; God
accounts folks unified with Christ as joint principals with him in his
crucifixion.
● Rom 6:3 . . Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death?
● Rom 6:8 . . We died with Christ,
● Gal 2:20 . . I am crucified with Christ
● Col 3:1-3 . . Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts
on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your
minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is
now hidden with Christ in God.
The added benefit is that everyone unified with Christ in his crucifixion is
also unified with him in his resurrection. The thing is: he came back with
immortality. (Rom 6:8-11, 1Tim 6:14-15, and Rev 1:18) So then: the bodies
we have now will eventually become too weak to continue, but these are not
all there is. Everyone unified with Christ is on track for an upgrade. (Phil
3:20-21, 2Cor 5:1-4)
FAQ: How would someone go about becoming a joint principal with Christ in
his crucifixion? In other words: how do I go about getting myself nailed up
there with him?
REPLY: RSVP
Find a quiet moment. Cover your face with your hands for a sense of privacy
and simply speak with God-- aloud or under your breath --saying, in your
own words:
"God, I'm a sinner with a lot to answer for. I would like to be accounted
crucified with your son if I may. Thank You."
FAQ: Supposing I don't have a lot to answer for.
REPLY: Do as I advise anyway because the justice for any amount of sin is
death (Rom 6:23) and everyone fails to measure up to God's sinless perfection.
● Rom 3:23 . . All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
_
The Way To Die To Live Again
There are two ways to undergo retribution for one's sins.
A very disagreeable way is the lake of fire depicted by Rev 20:11-15. That's
not a good option because for one thing: it's a mode of death akin to a
foundry worker falling into a kettle of molten iron, and for another: nobody
comes back from it.
A second way to undergo death for one's sins is via the cross because for
one thing: it's very agreeable, and for another: everyone comes back from it.
In some mysterious way that has thus far eluded my sense of fair play; God
accounts folks unified with Christ as joint principals with him in his
crucifixion.
● Rom 6:3 . . Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death?
● Rom 6:8 . . We died with Christ,
● Gal 2:20 . . I am crucified with Christ
● Col 3:1-3 . . Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts
on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your
minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is
now hidden with Christ in God.
The added benefit is that everyone unified with Christ in his crucifixion is
also unified with him in his resurrection. The thing is: he came back with
immortality. (Rom 6:8-11, 1Tim 6:14-15, and Rev 1:18) So then: the bodies
we have now will eventually become too weak to continue, but these are not
all there is. Everyone unified with Christ is on track for an upgrade. (Phil
3:20-21, 2Cor 5:1-4)
FAQ: How would someone go about becoming a joint principal with Christ in
his crucifixion? In other words: how do I go about getting myself nailed up
there with him?
REPLY: RSVP
Find a quiet moment. Cover your face with your hands for a sense of privacy
and simply speak with God-- aloud or under your breath --saying, in your
own words:
"God, I'm a sinner with a lot to answer for. I would like to be accounted
crucified with your son if I may. Thank You."
FAQ: Supposing I don't have a lot to answer for.
REPLY: Do as I advise anyway because the justice for any amount of sin is
death (Rom 6:23) and everyone fails to measure up to God's sinless perfection.
● Rom 3:23 . . All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
_