| Author | Message | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 721 Registered: 2-2010 |
I had my kids listen to Psalm 139 tonight while they had their dinner. My son asked me why king David (a man after God's own heart) hated his enemies but Jesus tells us to love our enemies. I told him I have asked the same questions myself. The Psalms have quite a bit in them about hating enemies of God. I encouraged him to ask our pastor tomorrow night at Word Search. As a former Adventist, Psalm 26 has become one of my favorites. Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. 4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, 7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord. Maybe the issue is with the word hate. I do want those who are enemies of God and truth to be saved!! In that way I love them. I also hate what they do! And I don't want to associate with them. I want to give Josh a biblical answer though. What are your thoughts? | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 3301 Registered: 7-2007 |
Free; the 10 Commandments didn't tell people to love their enemies. I think that the command to love came about in the New Covenant. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34 | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14740 Registered: 12-2003  |
Free, that is a good question. It reminds me that God said, "Was not Esau Jacob's brother? …Yet I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appoint his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness" (Mal. 1:2). Paul quotes this declaration in Romans 9:13 when he explains God's sovereign choice and will: "Just as it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'" Paul goes on to explain that God sovereignly called Jacob and formed the nation of Israel from his twelve sons. He argues that God has the sovereign right to made these kinds of choices, and His choices and promises never fail. In these passages, though, God isn't ascribing an emotion to is reaction to Esau. It's a declaration of His inscrutable decision to bless one son with the eternal blessings of ushering in the Messiah through his lineage, and one son was not thus blessed. It doesn't mean Esau could not fear God and believe Him; it's a statement of His sovereign choice to bless and abide with Jacob's offspring. Plus—Esau's descendants are not God-fearing, and they did not allow Israel to pass through their territory when they were marching through the wilderness. I see David's statement not as a statement of ascribing personal emotion of hate to individuals. I see him saying he can't fraternize with evil people. Their intentions are far from honoring God, and to try to to business, whether politically or religious or monetarily with them is completely repugnant and frustrating because their intentions and their worldview are opposed to the things of God, I understand his saying he hates the assembly of evildoers. I love individual Adventists and want them to know the real Jesus and the true gospel. But I do hate their assemblies. They oppose God and derive their beliefs from an evil spirit who fed visions to their prophet. God hates sin and cannot allow it to be in His presence. That's why humanity is born dead, disconnected from Him. We are not born in relationship with Him because we have inherited Adam's death. We have to receive His Life in the Son in order to be in His presence, filled with His own Self and life. Does that help at all? Colleen | ||
| Rocky Registered user Username: Rocky Post Number: 122 Registered: 3-2012 |
"God hates sin and cannot allow it to be in His presence. That's why humanity is born dead, disconnected from Him. We are not born in relationship with Him because we have inherited Adam's death. We have to receive His Life in the Son in order to be in His presence, filled with His own Self and life. " Colleen does this mean that babies or aborted children cannot be in Heaven as they are born or preborn dead and disconnected from Him? are they as if they have never been ? does the Bible have any teaching about this? just wondering as I try to sort out Christian from Adventist teaching about this....I am struggling to understand .... any references would be deeply appreciated..... | ||
| Mjcmcook Registered user Username: Mjcmcook Post Number: 1350 Registered: 2-2011  |
Rocky~ I realize that your question regarding aborted children was for Colleen. However, just in case she does not see your question right away I have a link to a trustworthy site that I believe will answer your question! http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/are-aborted-babies-in-heaven/#more-24515 (I just clicked on this link and it takes you to the Home Page, rather than the specific article! so just type in the Search Bar spirits of aborted babies in heaven) After reading this answer be sure to scroll down the page for follow-up links~ This site, in particular, has been over the years a real help for me! Blessings~ ~mj~ | ||
| Rocky Registered user Username: Rocky Post Number: 123 Registered: 3-2012 |
wow thank you mj - the language of "born dead" was very alarming and discouraging to me but this site was very helpful - to remember that a child before an age of accountability has nothing to repent of or atone for is reassuring... and I can see they are with Jesus and not as if they never were... I have bookmarked this site it has a lot of good answers, very thoughtful and prayerful... thank you again! Bless you!! | ||
| Mjcmcook Registered user Username: Mjcmcook Post Number: 1351 Registered: 2-2011 |
Rocky~ You are Welcome! As adventists we were indoctrinated with so many beliefs that are Not Scriptural! I, also, now understand that children(born alive) who are too young to to be held 'accountable' are with JESUS if they die. ~mj~ |
