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Showing posts from September, 2015

Contradiction or Paradox?

Contradiction by definition: a statement or phrase whose parts are incongruent with one another; i.e. “ that car is pretty ugly !” Well it cannot be both, it is either pretty or ugly. Paradox by definition: Two ideas that on the surface oppose each other but with closer examination and some background of the matter being discussed discover the ideas deliver a congruent truth; i.e. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live yet not I, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).  This verse on the surface is full of contradictions but it is not. First, Paul Is saying when Christ died we died; not literally, but spiritually. Paul is saying the old man he used to be prior to his conversion with Christ died. Remember the scripture says if any man is in Christ he is a new creation (italics added for emphasis). Old things are passed away, all things have been made new (2...

The Love of God. How does God love the world?

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever. Because He delights in mercy. He will have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of sea . You give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which you have sworn to our fathers from days of old -               Micah 7:18-20 In the beginning of this chapter the prophet Micah is bemoaning the nation Israel’s sins (vs 1-7). He also goes on to declare to Israel’s enemies not to rejoice over her demise for she (Israel) will rise again ( vs 8-13). And finally God will forgive Israel for her iniquities because of His compassion and love toward His people, and also He will remember his covenant He made with their forefathers – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (vs 15-20). The opening three verses describe the loving kindness of our God. This is God’s disposition towa...

Does God hate anyone?

There are two words for hate in the Bible. The Hebrew word is sane. The Greek is miseo. The word has a variety of meanings. It can mean hostility, intense unjustifiable malice toward someone or something, or simple disregard. A similar word would be to abhor or despise. A milder meaning would mean to prefer one thing or person over another. [i] The idea that God would hate anyone will spark intense debates in any conversation since we know that God is love (I John 4:7-8). John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. The question would have to be asked, “Where in the Bible does it declare God hates anyone?” Leviticus 20:23 – Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nations which I shall drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them. In Psalm 5:5-6 David says, “The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all the workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood. The L...