This is comforting. At 19, I have already experienced much suffering in my life. At the age of 12, my health began to decline and I have been left with constant pain since then. In the first few years that pain began, I questioned God, and I always asked, "Why God? Why me? Why so much suffering now, when I've barely lived my life?" Perhaps I should've asked, "Why NOT me?" Christ paid the highest possible price so that I, we, may live. He bore the crown of thorns, the excruciating cross, the very wrath of God. The least I can do is bear the pricking of my few. I no longer cry out, "Why God", but rather, "Use me. Please, use me. Do not let my pain be wasted." After many years of suffering, I am sure of this. The Lord remains steadfast and good, in all things, always. He cannot sin, so He cannot sin against me (or you), and this makes Him the most trustworthy. He WILL one day SOON come and remove these agonizing thorns from our flesh. And when that day comes, we will no longer struggle, no longer question. What a glorious day that will be. Until then, He holds us fast, and He loves us with an infinite love! We are quite safe within the palm of His hand. He is between us and the edge all the time. The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under our feet. Steady onwards, until that glorious day.
@@loretta1261 Thanks so much for reaching out. I appreciate your suggestion, however, I am too sick to simply get better from a diet. I've seen 40+ doctors over the years and continue to pursue traditional and natural routes of treatment. I'm glad to be an encouragement!
I still feel so much empathy for your suffering. True, food is not equal to or better than God’s plan. May God continue to use you even if it’s to grow overs and bring them close to Christ. ❤
This messge is so timely for me as I am currently experiencing an infection right now and my body feels like it is about to give up but praise God for this message for I am reminded that everything I am going through right now is all for the glory of God. Thank you ptr. John and to God be the glory for my sickness. 🙌🙏
Father I pray for Your to move with healing on behalf of everyone on this page who have any type of sickness, disability, or pain, please move with deliverance, restoration, and renewal, please move in power, please strengthen our hope and increase our faith, most importantly accomplish the work You desire to produce within us
I believe that to love someone is to seek the greatest good for them and that God is the greatest good there is. I've been sick with the flu the past few days and today especially felt far from God and I believe I was led here to this video to remind me that even in sickness, God loves us. The fact that Jesus stayed 2 days longer also moved me because it showed that he's there for us when we need him. God bless you and thank you for this video.
My husband has been battling an unknown illness for 4 year now. G.I Specialists haven't been able to find out what's going on with him. It has definitely changed our thoughts about God, and life in general. Thank you for this video! 🙌🏼💖
Hello, Zuri my name is David, I experienced something of the same issue back on Oct 21 out of the blue I could not stand for more than 5 minutes at a time. Feared for my life every day for the first year. The only comfort I found was in God, reading the Bible, praying or pleading with God. For the first year, I fought God against God in fear of what would happen to me trying to figure out my prob so I could fix it. After I took my eyes off myself I then could start to accept what was out of my control. I think the only thing that helped, is helping, is trusting the sovereignty of God, and though I do not like or understand what is happening to me, knowing and believing that God is in control and that He uses all things for His glory. Keep your eyes on God, believe Him, and use what strength or ability you have to glorify God in the trial! I pray for God's healing and return of strength for your husband, God is kind. Sorry so long!
It’s your lesson yo find God in every circumstance and keeping your eyes on him and how he moves in your life… he is present the entire time. Something good is meant for it no matter the outcome I believe following all his instructions, commands and decrees make me feel the ultimate health I read and listen to the Bible and get on UA-cam for more explanation of the text I read And in all that…. I’m often absent of all discomfort, any pain I ever has disappears. If I’m out of the Bible too long I can start to feel some discomfort Hope this helps, he tells us to abide night and day and pray without ceasing… that is a command!!! And I’m sure he knows which ones of us he wants following his commands to the letter and the ones he doesn’t bother to focus on where their focus is. If anyone is in pain…God finger is on their forehead to focus on him and not anything or anyone else until he decides to lift his finger off He wants us all to seek his kingdom, we are time sensitive in this realm so in order to be or do what he wants us to do We must get the knowledge, understanding and wisdom only he can give and if we don’t bow…and confess Jesus is our Lord and we live for him Then we die to this world not in a good way Our choice is to die to this world in a good way and that’s by knowing and following his written instructions. ❤🎚️🙏🏽
It depends how you are using the words 'my' and 'mine'. These words can be used loosely, just meaning that I happen to be the one who is ill at the present time, without identifying myself too closely with the illness.
I just preached a sermon on 6/12/22 from 1 John 4 explaining that the biblical concept of love is defined as the display of who God is, his glory. Though I did not directly address suffering in the message, people clearly made the connection once they saw the concept. After the service, brothers and sisters expressed how understanding that true love is displaying God’s greatness makes them look at their own life experience and how they interact with others very differently than the world influences us to think. I will be sharing this “Ask Pastor John” on our Facebook page as a great follow up. Appreciate it and all that you brothers and sisters at Desiring God do to make much of our wonderful Lord. While I am sure listening to the rest of Pastor John’s message will be a better use of your time, you can find our 6/12 message entitled “God is Love” at the Grace Fellowship of South Forsyth UA-cam channel if you would like to hear more in the same direction.
I would disagree to some extent with John Piper's definition of love. He says that 'love is doing whatever you have to do or whatever God has to do, at whatever cost, in order for the glory of God to be shown'. However, God's glory is shown when he sends people to hell. But it is surely not loving of God to send people to hell. Nor is it loving for a human being to want another person to go to hell to reveal God's glory. Of course, it is good for God to send people to hell, when that is his will, but it is not loving for him to do this. Love surely always aims for the wellbeing of the person who is loved. It is true that God's glory being shown will often be an act of love. But glory can sometimes be shown without love. So Piper's definition of love is not a good one.
You are right, Piper's definition of love in this clip is slightly off, and he affirms that with what he says in a few of his other videoes. One of them is a Ask Pastor John episode where he defines love and another is in a sermon on John 14 where he rightly says that love is not synonymous with obeying commands, but obeying commands is a result of love. Biblically, love is basically proper valuing of others according to their inherent worth, and I get that from this passage and those similar to it - 28) One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29) Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30) And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31) The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ - Mark 12:28 So loving God means valuing and desiring him above all others and with all of yourself, and loving your neighbors means valuing their lives and souls just as you value yours because all human beings are equally made in the image of God, which ultimately means that when you love someone you desire for their salvation and intimacy with God just as you would for yourself, and that love LEADS you to pray and do whatever you can so that they will be brought closer to God by his grace. On your next point, I don't think that John Piper stresses this enough although he is right that God does everything for his glory, yet what that means is that in everything God does something about him is demonstrated to the benefit of his elect. God did not create the world with a plan and begin fulfilling that plan just because he wants everyone to see how great he is, instead he did it because he wants people to know him AND love him so that he can eternally share his love with them and make them happy forever. Acts 17:16-34 God's glory (or manifestation of himself) is to the end of love in ALL things. So somehow, even God's glory in pouring out his wrath and sending the non-elect / unrepentant to Hell is done out of love for his elect because while the others don't benefit, the elect are made to rejoice in his mercy and grace toward them to the utmost in a way that they wouldn't if God had decided to save everyone, which he is certainly loving, powerful, wise, and supreme enough to do. He just reckoned that the maximum happiness of some because of the exclusivity of his love in salvation (which makes it as special as it could be) was a better plan than the minimized yet still eternal happiness of all in a universal salvation. I get this from Romans 9 and Romans 11:28-36. God is love so he cannot be glorified without showing love in whatever he does-it's just that some are loved less SO THAT others can enjoy and appreciate his love to the fullest. Hopefully that helps and makes sense to you.
"God’s Love and My Sickness" Kind Sir your Title is very apropos nowadays in this world...For I believe... We NEED to prepares Us For Afflictions to the "Nth" degree that is very close to the END! Now your video was great And...I must commend you for your "thesis"...For they were very... Poignant! As you cleverly described; how the affliction that IS coming VERY soon (I do believe) will be a "Holocaust" of holocausts!. And that is the END afflictions; that Jesus said in... Matthew 24:21 For then shall be Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be again. Thus, the GT is coming (which is at our doorsteps)... Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. So, Jesus is telling us: that all of those "Afflictions"; will be like a "Sunday School Picnic"; when comparing what is going to happen in the GT's last 3 and 1/2 yrs. May Jesus have mercy! And He WILL during the 1st half (3 and 1/2 yrs)! Meaning that He still WILL punish us Born Again's too; through His wrath when 7 Trumpets blow; because of what WE have done in our sins and abominable sins! But "Woe, Woe, Woe"; when Jesus' unlimited wrath spews out; when His punishment to the Non Born Again's pours out. With 7 bowls of horror; pouring out throughout Seven 6 month's periods. Where their pains will be so excruciating; they will scream and beg to die. But death will NOT come; until ALL 7 bowls has poured over them. And they deserve that; for what the world did to us, in the 1st half... Revelation 9:6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. Thanks again Kind Sir, for espousing those our "afflictions" and Jesus' love AND wrath's... ...In any case Brethren, Please Pray OFTEN and Praise Jesus OFTEN; for He is the ONLY true "God Almighty"; there will ever have been. And may Jesus bless you and yours always. AMEN!
Heaven is not a reward for good people. Heaven is the free gift of God for whosoever believes in His son. Simply believe. We all know this verse. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Many believers get salvation confused. They believe salvation is a reward that they have to be good enough to receive. This leads many to never be secure in their salvation, never knowing if they’re truly saved, so they continue day after day relying on their good works, their deeds to save them. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Of course, the problem with relying on your works to save you is that, what’s the standard that you need to reach to be saved? Do you repent of your sins 10 times a day or 20? Do you walk 10 old ladies across the street each day or 20? It doesn’t matter how many works you can do. The Bible is clear that none are righteous, and we’re all filthy sinners who can’t save ourselves. Only the precious blood of Jesus saves. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Bible says we are all as filthy rags, and that the only way to Heaven is through His son Jesus Christ. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” Calvinism and Lordship Salvationists blend salvation (God’s free gift) with sanctification (Doing God’s will after you’re saved) so the lines get blurry. The Bible is clear. Step 1: Salvation is accepting God’s gift by simply believing in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. It’s 100% the free gift of God. Once you’re saved you are sealed unto the day of redemption. You cannot lose it. You now hold your ticket to Heaven. John 10:28-29 - And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Step 2: Sanctification- After you get saved you can receive rewards when you get to Heaven by doing God’s will. Things like soul winning, spreading the Gospel, dying to fleshly, worldly desires, etc. See, the Calvinists and Lordshippers want to confuse these 2 things and it results in people never being saved. They believe the unbiblical false teaching that salvation is the free gift of God + some type of work that you need to do to be saved. Salvation is free. If you’re adding works then salvation is not free. It can’t be both. Remember, salvation first (the free gift to go to Heaven), then sanctification (Rewards you work for that you’ll receive when you get to Heaven.) Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. John 6:47, KJV: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 6:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the will of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:47, KJV: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Interracial Marriage An important Bible verse about understanding interracial marriage is 2 Corinthians 6:14: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers." That last word, "unbelievers" is of key importance. A Christian should not marry a non-Christian no matter how kind and good they are. Interracial marriage in the Bible What about interracial marriage? Deuteronomy 7:1-6 tells the Israelites to destroy all the inhabitants of the Canaan land and not to intermarry with them because they would "turn your sons away from following Me, that they may serve other gods." The same key concern of 2 Corinthians 6:14 is again expressed here. Moses' wife was of another race and in Numbers 12:1-15 Aaron and Miriam were punished for criticizing this interracial marriage. The book of Ruth tells a delightful story of a foreigner who became part of the lineage of Christ. The harlot, Rahab, also of another nation, is included in the lineage of Christ as recorded in Matthew 1. Colossians 3:11 makes it clear that from God's perspective all are one in Christ. Interracial marriage considerations The Bible is clear that when both parties are believers (equally yoked), interracial marriage is not wrong. A Christian couple contemplating marriage must prayerfully and carefully consider the impact their marriage will have within their cultural context, their family relationships, future children, and the society in which they live. A loving Christian couple may accommodate well to many kinds of differences between themselves. However, there are cultural contexts where interracial marriage poses significant barriers to acceptance of the marriage and/or the children of the marriage. Interracial marriages are becoming more common in many societies. All couples contemplating marriage need to give thoughtful consideration to a variety of practical issues, some of which may have no clear Biblical imperative. Take care and God bless
Love is all over this passage. Jesus allowed Lazarus to be sick and die so that he could come behind that and demonstrate his love and sovereignty over all things by raising him from the dead. This aids Christians of all ages because we see that even though our bodies are subject to die because of the curse upon creation, because Jesus himself rose and as God he has power over life and death, he will raise his people from the dead so that we can eternally share in his love and bliss. God's glory is the manifestation of himself and the credit he deserves for his works, and the peak of God's glory and the goal of it being expressed in the universe is love. Everything God does manifests who he is, therefore God shows his love for his elect in everything he does, and his chief act of love was to send Jesus to manifest who God is to us as a human being and to provide salvation for us so that by repenting and trusting in him we could reap the benefits of his love and bliss in the new heavens and earth. Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and he uses disease and death to make that known to his elect, and he will abolish it at his second coming on our behalf all out of love.
The Gospel: Plain and Simple “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” - 2 Corithians 11:3 Ask someone today if they are saved and you will most likely hear responses like these: “I have accepted Jesus into my heart.” Or “I have made him Lord of my life.” “I’ve been baptized.” “I said a prayer.” Sounds all good and churchy don’t it; but it is difficult to de-termine whether or not a person actually knows the gospel that saves them. These useless phrases don’t describe a thing about what the gospel is and has left a devastating effect of people not knowing what it is that they are saved from nor how they are saved; which leaves a more serious effect of people questioning their salvation. Let’s not muddy the simplicity of salvation that is in Christ with vague church sounding phrases that do not communicate anything. But rather present God’s word with clarity and assuredness. So here is the gospel: plain and simple. Sin was passed upon all men by one man Adam, and death is a consequence of this sin (Rom 5:12). Mankind has an eternal destiny of condemnation and wrath - Hell - because of this sin (Rom 6:23). No matter what good works one might do we are still found sinners in the sight of our Creator God. And all unrighteousness and those who follow get indignation and wrath. We cannot be found righteous for by God’s law we are found sinners (Rom 3:19-20). If we have broken even one law we are found guilty. It is for this reason of not being able to create our own righteousness and being born in a sinful flesh that we need a savior (Titus 3:5). Christ is that Savior, God manifested in the flesh, sinless, died in our place on a cross 2000 years ago. Taking upon him the wrath and judgement that was intended for us sinners. And it is through his bloodshed, burial, and resurrection on our behalf that we are able to have peace with God and forgiveness of our sins (1 Cor 15:1-4, Col 3:14). This good news is unto all but only those that believe in it are made righteous in Christ (Romans 3:22). It is then after we have heard this good news of Christ’s righteousness available to us freely, that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and we are now part of Christ’s body the church (Eph 1:13) There is nothing that we need to do, no good works that are required, and no bad works that can separate us from our new position in Christ (Romans 8:35-39). Faith and belief in this information from God’s word is the gospel. The gospel is not accepting Jesus into your heart. The gospel is not making him lord of your life, it is not saying a prayer and it is not being baptized with water. So next time someone asks you if you are saved. Give them the clear assured answer “Yes And let me tell you why Find more free resources at www.graceambassadors.com
I'm paralyzed quadriplegic bedridden since 13 years now after motorbike accident. I still hope in God to heal me one day.
May the Lord heal you Brother.
This is comforting. At 19, I have already experienced much suffering in my life. At the age of 12, my health began to decline and I have been left with constant pain since then. In the first few years that pain began, I questioned God, and I always asked, "Why God? Why me? Why so much suffering now, when I've barely lived my life?" Perhaps I should've asked, "Why NOT me?" Christ paid the highest possible price so that I, we, may live. He bore the crown of thorns, the excruciating cross, the very wrath of God. The least I can do is bear the pricking of my few. I no longer cry out, "Why God", but rather, "Use me. Please, use me. Do not let my pain be wasted." After many years of suffering, I am sure of this. The Lord remains steadfast and good, in all things, always. He cannot sin, so He cannot sin against me (or you), and this makes Him the most trustworthy. He WILL one day SOON come and remove these agonizing thorns from our flesh. And when that day comes, we will no longer struggle, no longer question. What a glorious day that will be. Until then, He holds us fast, and He loves us with an infinite love! We are quite safe within the palm of His hand. He is between us and the edge all the time. The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under our feet. Steady onwards, until that glorious day.
So to God the concept of love is to stab and torture the ones he "loves"?
John McDougall. Please watch his videos. So much physical health can be helped with diet. I’m a Christian and love all you said.
@@loretta1261 Thanks so much for reaching out. I appreciate your suggestion, however, I am too sick to simply get better from a diet. I've seen 40+ doctors over the years and continue to pursue traditional and natural routes of treatment. I'm glad to be an encouragement!
I still feel so much empathy for your suffering.
True, food is not equal to or better than God’s plan.
May God continue to use you even if it’s to grow overs and bring them close to Christ. ❤
This messge is so timely for me as I am currently experiencing an infection right now and my body feels like it is about to give up but praise God for this message for I am reminded that everything I am going through right now is all for the glory of God. Thank you ptr. John and to God be the glory for my sickness. 🙌🙏
thank you Lord for our pain that you reveal yourself in
“Love is doing whatever you have to do, or whatever God has to do, at whatever cost in order for the glory of God to be shown.”
I'm sick every day for 3 years and I beg Jesus every day to help me. Sometimes I'm doing better and then it comes back and I it ruins me.
Father I pray for Your to move with healing on behalf of everyone on this page who have any type of sickness, disability, or pain, please move with deliverance, restoration, and renewal, please move in power, please strengthen our hope and increase our faith, most importantly accomplish the work You desire to produce within us
Thank you Lord for this lesson of Love.
😇🙏🏻❤️
✝️❤️🗺
Timely message ..... Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ 🙏
I believe that to love someone is to seek the greatest good for them and that God is the greatest good there is.
I've been sick with the flu the past few days and today especially felt far from God and I believe I was led here to this video to remind me that even in sickness, God loves us.
The fact that Jesus stayed 2 days longer also moved me because it showed that he's there for us when we need him.
God bless you and thank you for this video.
My husband has been battling an unknown illness for 4 year now. G.I Specialists haven't been able to find out what's going on with him. It has definitely changed our thoughts about God, and life in general. Thank you for this video! 🙌🏼💖
Hello, Zuri my name is David, I experienced something of the same issue back on Oct 21 out of the blue I could not stand for more than 5 minutes at a time. Feared for my life every day for the first year. The only comfort I found was in God, reading the Bible, praying or pleading with God. For the first year, I fought God against God in fear of what would happen to me trying to figure out my prob so I could fix it. After I took my eyes off myself I then could start to accept what was out of my control. I think the only thing that helped, is helping, is trusting the sovereignty of God, and though I do not like or understand what is happening to me, knowing and believing that God is in control and that He uses all things for His glory. Keep your eyes on God, believe Him, and use what strength or ability you have to glorify God in the trial! I pray for God's healing and return of strength for your husband, God is kind. Sorry so long!
It’s your lesson yo find God in every circumstance and keeping your eyes on him and how he moves in your life… he is present the entire time. Something good is meant for it no matter the outcome
I believe following all his instructions, commands and decrees make me feel the ultimate health
I read and listen to the Bible and get on UA-cam for more explanation of the text I read
And in all that…. I’m often absent of all discomfort, any pain I ever has disappears.
If I’m out of the Bible too long I can start to feel some discomfort
Hope this helps, he tells us to abide night and day and pray without ceasing… that is a command!!!
And I’m sure he knows which ones of us he wants following his commands to the letter and the ones he doesn’t bother to focus on where their focus is.
If anyone is in pain…God finger is on their forehead to focus on him and not anything or anyone else until he decides to lift his finger off
He wants us all to seek his kingdom, we are time sensitive in this realm so in order to be or do what he wants us to do
We must get the knowledge, understanding and wisdom only he can give and if we don’t bow…and confess Jesus is our Lord and we live for him
Then we die to this world not in a good way
Our choice is to die to this world in a good way and that’s by knowing and following his written instructions.
❤🎚️🙏🏽
Even the boundary lines of the recliner, the wheelchair, the bed have fallen in pleasant places.
We have a beautiful inheritance.
(Psalm 16)
True love requires sacrifice.
Wow. Praise God for this lesson!
God bless you so much
Amen ✝️❤️😇
Dont ever call something like a sickness "mine" its way more difficult to heal, let it go, if you take possesion of it.
It depends how you are using the words 'my' and 'mine'. These words can be used loosely, just meaning that I happen to be the one who is ill at the present time, without identifying myself too closely with the illness.
You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you
I just preached a sermon on 6/12/22 from 1 John 4 explaining that the biblical concept of love is defined as the display of who God is, his glory. Though I did not directly address suffering in the message, people clearly made the connection once they saw the concept. After the service, brothers and sisters expressed how understanding that true love is displaying God’s greatness makes them look at their own life experience and how they interact with others very differently than the world influences us to think. I will be sharing this “Ask Pastor John” on our Facebook page as a great follow up. Appreciate it and all that you brothers and sisters at Desiring God do to make much of our wonderful Lord. While I am sure listening to the rest of Pastor John’s message will be a better use of your time, you can find our 6/12 message entitled “God is Love” at the Grace Fellowship of South Forsyth UA-cam channel if you would like to hear more in the same direction.
Amen
“My sickness?” hmmm, should I own it or rebuke it?
I would disagree to some extent with John Piper's definition of love. He says that 'love is doing whatever you have to do or whatever God has to do, at whatever cost, in order for the glory of God to be shown'.
However, God's glory is shown when he sends people to hell. But it is surely not loving of God to send people to hell. Nor is it loving for a human being to want another person to go to hell to reveal God's glory. Of course, it is good for God to send people to hell, when that is his will, but it is not loving for him to do this.
Love surely always aims for the wellbeing of the person who is loved. It is true that God's glory being shown will often be an act of love. But glory can sometimes be shown without love. So Piper's definition of love is not a good one.
You are right, Piper's definition of love in this clip is slightly off, and he affirms that with what he says in a few of his other videoes. One of them is a Ask Pastor John episode where he defines love and another is in a sermon on John 14 where he rightly says that love is not synonymous with obeying commands, but obeying commands is a result of love. Biblically, love is basically proper valuing of others according to their inherent worth, and I get that from this passage and those similar to it - 28) One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29) Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30) And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31) The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ - Mark 12:28
So loving God means valuing and desiring him above all others and with all of yourself, and loving your neighbors means valuing their lives and souls just as you value yours because all human beings are equally made in the image of God, which ultimately means that when you love someone you desire for their salvation and intimacy with God just as you would for yourself, and that love LEADS you to pray and do whatever you can so that they will be brought closer to God by his grace.
On your next point, I don't think that John Piper stresses this enough although he is right that God does everything for his glory, yet what that means is that in everything God does something about him is demonstrated to the benefit of his elect. God did not create the world with a plan and begin fulfilling that plan just because he wants everyone to see how great he is, instead he did it because he wants people to know him AND love him so that he can eternally share his love with them and make them happy forever. Acts 17:16-34
God's glory (or manifestation of himself) is to the end of love in ALL things. So somehow, even God's glory in pouring out his wrath and sending the non-elect / unrepentant to Hell is done out of love for his elect because while the others don't benefit, the elect are made to rejoice in his mercy and grace toward them to the utmost in a way that they wouldn't if God had decided to save everyone, which he is certainly loving, powerful, wise, and supreme enough to do. He just reckoned that the maximum happiness of some because of the exclusivity of his love in salvation (which makes it as special as it could be) was a better plan than the minimized yet still eternal happiness of all in a universal salvation. I get this from Romans 9 and Romans 11:28-36.
God is love so he cannot be glorified without showing love in whatever he does-it's just that some are loved less SO THAT others can enjoy and appreciate his love to the fullest. Hopefully that helps and makes sense to you.
"God’s Love and My Sickness"
Kind Sir your Title is very apropos nowadays in this world...For I believe...
We NEED to prepares Us For Afflictions to the "Nth" degree that is very close to the END!
Now your video was great And...I must commend you for your "thesis"...For they were very...
Poignant! As you cleverly described; how the affliction that IS coming VERY soon (I do believe) will be a "Holocaust" of holocausts!. And that is the END afflictions; that Jesus said in...
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be again.
Thus, the GT is coming (which is at our doorsteps)...
Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
So, Jesus is telling us: that all of those "Afflictions"; will be like a "Sunday School Picnic"; when comparing what is going to happen in the GT's last 3 and 1/2 yrs. May Jesus have mercy!
And He WILL during the 1st half (3 and 1/2 yrs)! Meaning that He still WILL punish us Born Again's too; through His wrath when 7 Trumpets blow; because of what WE have done in our sins and abominable sins!
But "Woe, Woe, Woe"; when Jesus' unlimited wrath spews out; when His punishment to the Non Born Again's pours out. With 7 bowls of horror; pouring out throughout Seven 6 month's periods.
Where their pains will be so excruciating; they will scream and beg to die. But death will NOT come; until ALL 7 bowls has poured over them. And they deserve that; for what the world did to us, in the 1st half...
Revelation 9:6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
Thanks again Kind Sir, for espousing those our "afflictions" and Jesus' love AND wrath's...
...In any case Brethren, Please Pray OFTEN and Praise Jesus OFTEN; for He is the ONLY true "God Almighty"; there will ever have been. And may Jesus bless you and yours always. AMEN!
Heaven is not a reward for good people. Heaven is the free gift of God for whosoever believes in His son.
Simply believe. We all know this verse.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Many believers get salvation confused. They believe salvation is a reward that they have to be good enough to receive.
This leads many to never be secure in their salvation, never knowing if they’re truly saved, so they continue day after day relying on their good works, their deeds to save them.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Of course, the problem with relying on your works to save you is that, what’s the standard that you need to reach to be saved? Do you repent of your sins 10 times a day or 20? Do you walk 10 old ladies across the street each day or 20?
It doesn’t matter how many works you can do. The Bible is clear that none are righteous, and we’re all filthy sinners who can’t save ourselves. Only the precious blood of Jesus saves.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Bible says we are all as filthy rags, and that the only way to Heaven is through His son Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”
Calvinism and Lordship Salvationists blend salvation (God’s free gift) with sanctification (Doing God’s will after you’re saved) so the lines get blurry.
The Bible is clear.
Step 1: Salvation is accepting God’s gift by simply believing in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
It’s 100% the free gift of God. Once you’re saved you are sealed unto the day of redemption. You cannot lose it. You now hold your ticket to Heaven.
John 10:28-29 - And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
Step 2: Sanctification- After you get saved you can receive rewards when you get to Heaven by doing God’s will. Things like soul winning, spreading the Gospel, dying to fleshly, worldly desires, etc.
See, the Calvinists and Lordshippers want to confuse these 2 things and it results in people never being saved.
They believe the unbiblical false teaching that salvation is the free gift of God + some type of work that you need to do to be saved.
Salvation is free. If you’re adding works then salvation is not free. It can’t be both.
Remember, salvation first (the free gift to go to Heaven), then sanctification (Rewards you work for that you’ll receive when you get to Heaven.)
Acts 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
John 6:47, KJV: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 3:36
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
John 6:29
“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the will of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
John 6:47, KJV: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Interracial Marriage
An important Bible verse about understanding interracial marriage is 2 Corinthians 6:14: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers."
That last word, "unbelievers" is of key importance. A Christian should not marry a non-Christian no matter how kind and good they are.
Interracial marriage in the Bible
What about interracial marriage? Deuteronomy 7:1-6 tells the Israelites to destroy all the inhabitants of the Canaan land and not to intermarry with them because they would "turn your sons away from following Me, that they may serve other gods." The same key concern of 2 Corinthians 6:14 is again expressed here.
Moses' wife was of another race and in Numbers 12:1-15 Aaron and Miriam were punished for criticizing this interracial marriage. The book of Ruth tells a delightful story of a foreigner who became part of the lineage of Christ. The harlot, Rahab, also of another nation, is included in the lineage of Christ as recorded in Matthew 1. Colossians 3:11 makes it clear that from God's perspective all are one in Christ.
Interracial marriage considerations
The Bible is clear that when both parties are believers (equally yoked), interracial marriage is not wrong. A Christian couple contemplating marriage must prayerfully and carefully consider the impact their marriage will have within their cultural context, their family relationships, future children, and the society in which they live. A loving Christian couple may accommodate well to many kinds of differences between themselves. However, there are cultural contexts where interracial marriage poses significant barriers to acceptance of the marriage and/or the children of the marriage.
Interracial marriages are becoming more common in many societies. All couples contemplating marriage need to give thoughtful consideration to a variety of practical issues, some of which may have no clear Biblical imperative.
Take care and God bless
So in fact the title should be "God's glory and my sickness" coz there is no love here.
Love is all over this passage. Jesus allowed Lazarus to be sick and die so that he could come behind that and demonstrate his love and sovereignty over all things by raising him from the dead. This aids Christians of all ages because we see that even though our bodies are subject to die because of the curse upon creation, because Jesus himself rose and as God he has power over life and death, he will raise his people from the dead so that we can eternally share in his love and bliss. God's glory is the manifestation of himself and the credit he deserves for his works, and the peak of God's glory and the goal of it being expressed in the universe is love. Everything God does manifests who he is, therefore God shows his love for his elect in everything he does, and his chief act of love was to send Jesus to manifest who God is to us as a human being and to provide salvation for us so that by repenting and trusting in him we could reap the benefits of his love and bliss in the new heavens and earth. Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and he uses disease and death to make that known to his elect, and he will abolish it at his second coming on our behalf all out of love.
Plenty of love
The Gospel:
Plain and
Simple
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent
beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your
minds should be corrupted from the simplicity
that is in Christ.” - 2 Corithians 11:3
Ask someone today if they are saved and
you will most likely hear responses like these:
“I have accepted Jesus into my heart.” Or “I
have made him Lord of my life.” “I’ve been
baptized.” “I said a prayer.” Sounds all good
and churchy don’t it; but it is difficult to de-termine whether or not a person actually
knows the gospel that saves them. These useless phrases don’t describe a thing about what
the gospel is and has left a devastating effect
of people not knowing what it is that they are
saved from nor how they are saved; which
leaves a more serious effect of people questioning their salvation.
Let’s not muddy the simplicity of salvation that is in Christ with vague church
sounding phrases that do not communicate
anything. But rather present God’s word with
clarity and assuredness. So here is the gospel:
plain and simple.
Sin was passed upon all men by one man
Adam, and death is a consequence of this sin
(Rom 5:12). Mankind has an eternal destiny of
condemnation and wrath - Hell - because of
this sin (Rom 6:23). No matter what good
works one might do we are still found sinners
in the sight of our Creator God. And all unrighteousness and those who follow get indignation and wrath. We cannot be found
righteous for by God’s law we are found sinners (Rom 3:19-20). If we have broken even
one law we are found guilty.
It is for this reason of not being able to
create our own righteousness and being born
in a sinful flesh that we need a savior (Titus
3:5). Christ is that Savior, God manifested in
the flesh, sinless, died in our place on a cross
2000 years ago. Taking upon him the wrath
and judgement that was intended for us sinners. And it is through his bloodshed, burial,
and resurrection on our behalf that we are
able to have peace with God and forgiveness
of our sins (1 Cor 15:1-4, Col 3:14). This good
news is unto all but only those that believe in
it are made righteous in Christ (Romans
3:22).
It is then after we have heard this good
news of Christ’s righteousness available to us freely, that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit
and we are now part of Christ’s body the
church (Eph 1:13)
There is nothing that we need to do, no
good works that are required, and no bad
works that can separate us from our new position in Christ (Romans 8:35-39).
Faith and belief in this information from
God’s word is the gospel.
The gospel is not accepting Jesus into your
heart. The gospel is not making him lord of
your life, it is not saying a prayer and it is not
being baptized with water.
So next time someone asks you if you are
saved. Give them the clear assured answer
“Yes And let me tell you why
Find more free resources at
www.graceambassadors.com
Amen