A Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, Part 27

Now let’s continue with the preacher’s examples of faith.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of thatcountry from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

What a spread, from Noah to Isaac. And each one was in right standing with God only because of faith. Let us take them in order. Noah was the grandson of Enoch, so he had a prime example of faith to live up to. Notice that the faith of Noah produced obedience in a matter that made the man seem insane to his fellows. According to the book of Genesis, it had never rained on the Earth before Noah was ordered by God to build a floating zoo to save the animals. No one could conceive of water falling from the sky in torrents, and a flood was out of the question. But Noah believed God, not merely believed in Him, but believed in the veracity of what God told him. So Noah built a big box, an ark, and rounded up pairs of animals. For years, he was the laughing stock of his city; until the day it started to rain.

Abraham, formerly known as Abram, was told by God to pack up his household and leave the big, comfortable city on the river, and wander into a different country where he knew no one. The neighbors all thought he slipped a cog or something. No one in their right mind gives up a good life in town to wander around the countryside. But Abraham did, and it proved to be the right mind in the end, because Israel exists today, and Jesus came two thousand years ago, because Abraham put his faith into practice and did what God told him to do. Genesis records many of Abraham’s faults. He was a sinner. But the Bible also says Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him as righteousness.

Isaac and Jacob never saw the conversion of the Promised Land into the homeland of their descendants. Isaac tried to bless the wrong son, but God had Jacob live up to (or down to) his name (Jacob means Cheater in Hebrew) and trick his dad into giving him the heir’s blessing. And Jacob died in Egypt, away from the Land promised to him by God. But Jacob’s faith in God’s promise was so strong, he made his sons swear to bury him in the Land when, not if, God brings them there.

All four of these men took God’s promise of a homeland seriously, and bet their lives and the lives of their offspring on it. They didn’t have a mere mental ascent to the existence of God, they didn’t merely believe in God, they believed God, and acted on that belief with their deeds.

Do you believe in God, or believe God? Do you just give a nod to God’s existence, or do you do what God has told you needs to be done in your life? If your answers are the former in both questions, you need to re-asses your priorities. God’s word is true. When He says something, take it to mean what it says. God won’t wait forever, time is running out. The signs all point to an immanent return of the Messiah. And you don’t want to be left behind, as the popular books all depict.

Ol’ Fuzzy is not employable and was denied for disability benefits. The only thing I have is the blogs. But I don’t qualify for ads on the blogs until there is enough traffic on the blogs to interest advertisers (20,000 hits per month). If you like the scribbles I post, please help me keep it going. You can leave me a gratuity by dropping a buck or two in Ol' Fuzzy's Tip Jar. This is a PayPal account I opened on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

A Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, Part 26

Now we begin the part that defines faith, in Greek πίστις (pistis). This may get a little technical, but I want to give you a thorough understanding of the preacher’s meaning.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it isimpossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Let’s begin with the dictionary definition of faith (and pistis): Google defines faith as 1. complete trust or confidence in someone or something. 2. strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof. The word πίστις originated in Greek mythology as a minor divinity who personified good faith, trust and reliability. Google defines it as faith, belief, firm persuasion, assurance, firm conviction or faithfulness. In New Testament usage it also takes on the Hebrew concept of obedience (if you believe God, you obey God).

The Greek word translated substance, ̒υπόστασις (hypostasis), is the same word that is used to describe the three persons of the Trinity of God in the theological writings of the first few centuries A. D. I will not do a full word study on it, but let it be enough to say the word denotes much more than the stuff from which a thing is made. In Greek philosophy, the word means the underlying reality of something. I feel that the philosophical definition, rather than the theological one, is what the translators of the King James Bible were looking at.

The Greek word translated evidence, ͗ελεγχος (elegchos), means a mathematical or scientific proof. Often it is translated conviction, yet that is too weak a word to cover its meaning. Our English word elegant derives from this word, something that is elegant is something which proves the theorem. So faith is elegant of the invisible, spiritual reality. Faith is the hypostasis of what is hoped for and the elegchos of what we can’t see.

These definitions go far beyond Google’s simple ones. In Christian practice, faith is concrete rather than abstract. Verse two introduces a long string of examples of the kind of faith Christians possess. The phrase obtained a good report is used to render the Greek word for witness in a form of past-but-ongoing tense. The word translated worlds is better rendered as ages. By faith God framed the ages by His word.

It was faith that made Abel’s sacrifice superior to Cain’s. Cain only offered the fruit of the fields by force of habit, but Abel believed God and offered the lamb in that faith. This is what made Abel to be in right standing with God, not the fact that the lamb later became the official offering to cover sin.

It was Enoch’s faith that led him to be translated into heaven in body, not some form of shamanistic rite. The proof of that is in the fact that Enoch pleased God. And that leads us to the climax of today’s segment, verse six declares faith is necessary because you can’t come to God unless you believe that He exists and rewards them that diligently seek Him. Don’t leave out the diligence. It is important because you won’t succeed at a relationship with God if you aren’t diligent.

Do you really believe in God? If so, do you seek Him diligently? According to the descriptions of the end times Saint Paul wrote in his letters to Corinth and Thessalonika, all of the believers in right standing with God are going to be translated like Enoch if they are alive at the end. Are you ready to be translated? It could happen at any minute now.

Ol’ Fuzzy is not employable and was denied for disability benefits. The only thing I have is the blogs. But I don’t qualify for ads on the blogs until there is enough traffic on the blogs to interest advertisers (20,000 hits per month). If you like the scribbles I post, please help me keep it going. You can leave me a gratuity by dropping a buck or two in Ol' Fuzzy's Tip Jar. This is a PayPal account I opened on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

A Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, Part 25

Let us finish the chapter.

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

The preacher is making a contrasting comparison of those of us who have been obedient to the call of Christ to those under the Old Covenant who contemptuously disobeyed the Law handed down through Moses. Our righteousness is not what gets us into the Presence of God, but the blood of Christ shed for us on the cross. There were those whom God judged in this world, as an example to Israel and to us. They were dangerous to the others’ faith. If God had ignored their transgression and iniquity they would have sown doubt among the rest of the people. Verse thirty-one is the one that Jonathan Edwards preached from in his famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” And it is just as appropriate today. Think about that.

The preacher reminds the audience that they have skin in the game. While they were new in the faith, they were persecuted for their faith, and gloried in the privilege. He urges them not to throw away the confidence of faith they once had. These people were impatient as today’s society. They knew what they wanted from God, and they wanted it now! It reminds me of the joke, “Lord, give me patience, and I want it right now!”

The preacher tells of his expectation that the return of Jesus was going to be in his lifetime. We know that didn’t happen yet, but the signs of His return are plain today. Those who remain faithful are just in God’s sight. But those who turn away at the last minute are worse than those who rejected Him outright.

God doesn’t want quitters. Did you start out on the Way of Life, only to sit by the side of the road and watch the traffic? Or maybe you found a side road you believed would be a shortcut? When He returns, you don’t want to be found off the road. He’ll be here any minute now. Be ready.

Ol’ Fuzzy is not employable and was denied for disability benefits. The only thing I have is the blogs. But I don’t qualify for ads on the blogs until there is enough traffic on the blogs to interest advertisers (20,000 hits per month). If you like the scribbles I post, please help me keep it going. You can leave me a gratuity by dropping a buck or two in Ol' Fuzzy's Tip Jar. This is a PayPal account I opened on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

A Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, Part 24

Moving on to the next chapter:

CHAPTER 10

1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Because the audience for this sermon was a group of Jewish Christians who were thinking about abandoning the faith of Jesus Christ to return to the Temple form of worship, the preacher is comparing to Law to the fulfillment of the Law in Christ. The Law was a shadow or image of the New Covenant that Jesus ushered in. That means that everything, every word, in the Old Covenant has a fulfillment in the New Covenant. From the layout of the Tabernacle to the choice of animal or plant for each sacrifice has some significance.

But the Old Covenant, the Law, could not remove sin from the participants, only cover it for one year. That means that the sacrifices had to be repeated every year for the same sins as the year before. There was a covering, but not a remission. In the New Covenant, Jesus made a permanent sacrifice, once for all humans, that removes not only the guilt of sin, but the cause of sin in a person’s soul. Under the New Covenant, Jesus removes the bondage that death had over the humans of the Earth, a bondage caused by the disobedience of Adam in the Garden of Eden. So there becomes no more need of annual sacrifices because the cause of the sin, along with the guilt it brought, is removed from the sinner and eradicated from existence.

The prophet said God does not desire sacrifices and burnt offerings, but righteousness and love. God never took any pleasure in the slaughter of bulls, goats and sheep. Nor does He take pleasure in the self flagellation of a penitent soul seeking atonement. God’s pleasure comes from the love we share with one another, which ultimately springs from Him. Therefore, the sacrifices and feasts of the Old Covenant were ended when the New Covenant was established. The fact that it took about forty years for the Temple to be destroyed is not relevant to timeline of God, for with God time has no meaning.

Because God said He does not want burnt offerings and sacrifices, the preacher says, Jesus came to bring about the end of them according to His will. So the ending of the Temple sacrifices was to satisfy the will of the Father. But it wasn’t done without replacing them. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ makes the Old Covenant sacrifices moot, unnecessary. To avoid redundant worship, God allowed the Temple to be destroyed by Titus. But that took place after this sermon was delivered.

Are you trying to do something other than what Christ has done to make your way to heaven? If so, why? Just allow the work of Christ, His saving grace, to take the place of all the Old Covenant worship in your life. And live in Him, life more abundant.

Ol’ Fuzzy is not employable and was denied for disability benefits. The only thing I have is the blogs. But I don’t qualify for ads on the blogs until there is enough traffic on the blogs to interest advertisers (20,000 hits per month). If you like the scribbles I post, please help me keep it going. You can leave me a gratuity by dropping a buck or two in Ol' Fuzzy's Tip Jar. This is a PayPal account I opened on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

A Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, Part 23

Shall we dig a little deeper into the chapter?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

In this passage the preacher points out that a testament, that is a will in other words, does not take effect until the testator dies. The same is true with the New Testament that Jesus wrought when He walked the Earth two thousand years ago. It took His death as a sin offering for all to put the New Testament into effect. This had not happened in the Old Testament. The Old Testament was like Someone’s will left in the filing cabinet until He dies. Therefore, the Old Testament had no power to save from sin, only to cover that sin until the New Testament went into effect.

But the suffering and death of the Savior made a permanent and lasting effect, back dated to the foundation of the world. For everyone who believed, from Abel to now, is redeemed by the blood of Jesus. No other offering need be made. God did it all. Sin no longer has dominion over humanity. We are free to serve God as He intended in the Garden of Eden.

Now we look forward to the return of the Prophet, High Priest and King of Righteousness, so long as we remain faithful to Him.

Do you look forward to His return? You can tell by the “signs of the times” that He is coming back really soon, like any minute now.

Ol’ Fuzzy is not employable and was denied for disability benefits. The only thing I have is the blogs. But I don’t qualify for ads on the blogs until there is enough traffic on the blogs to interest advertisers (20,000 hits per month). If you like the scribbles I post, please help me keep it going. You can leave me a gratuity by dropping a buck or two in Ol' Fuzzy's Tip Jar. This is a PayPal account I opened on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

A Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, Part 22

Now we move on to chapter nine.

CHAPTER NINE

1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Keep in mind the reason that Saint Paul assembled this sermon was to disuade Jewish Christians from apostasy. The preacher gives a concise description of the worship of the Old Testament. The various components of the Old Covenant Tabernacle foreshadowed the the coming New Covenant that was coming. But the preacher points out that the foreshadow is inferior to the thing foreshadowed. The priests of the Tabernacle and the Temple that followed it are not allowed into the Holiest of Holies in the course of their ministry. Only the high priest could enter, and then only once per year, to bring in the blood of the sacrificial lamb to atone for sin.

On the other hand, the New Covenant has only one priest, the High Priest, Jesus Christ, and everyone can enter into the Holiest of Holies in Heaven through Him. The difference is profound. Also the sacrifice of a lamb every year is no longer required because the High Priest is the Lamb of God, and He sacrificed Himself once for all time. This means the New Covenant is already complete in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and by His ascension, Jesus has the ear of God the Father continually.

Do you find yourself looking for ways to earn your salvation by doing things in a religious way or following some religious formula external to the Gospel of Christ? Perhaps you are trying to prove yourself more worthy of salvation than some sinners you have seen. Don’t kid yourself. You aren’t fooling God. The only thing required of the saved is love. And none of us are worthy of salvation. It is the mercy and grace of God that imparts to us the worthiness of Jesus Himself that makes us able to be saved. If you resist that salvation, what other way can there be to salvation, seeing that God made only One Way, Truth and Life.

I ask with the preacher: For if the blood of bulls and of goats [...] sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Shouldn’t we all be purged?

Ol’ Fuzzy is not employable and was denied for disability benefits. The only thing I have is the blogs. But I don’t qualify for ads on the blogs until there is enough traffic on the blogs to interest advertisers (20,000 hits per month). If you like the scribbles I post, please help me keep it going. You can leave me a gratuity by dropping a buck or two in Ol' Fuzzy's Tip Jar. This is a PayPal account I opened on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

A Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, Part 21

Let us move into the next chapter.

CHAPTER EIGHT

1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

The preacher is continuing his argument about why a Jewish Christian should not abandon Christ to return to the sacrifices of the Temple. The chapter opens with a continuation of the explanation of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. But it swiftly enters into a new area of debate, the New Covenant. In all of the New Testament, this is the most concise apology of the New Covenant with Old Testament support by quotation of the prophets.

Jesus is our high priest only because He is risen from the dead and ascended into heaven. Were He still on Earth, as the preacher says above, Jesus would not be able to even minister to the priests in the Temple, He is not of the correct tribe. But by His ascension, Jesus reestablishes the line of priesthood of the King of Righteousness Who is King of Peace. And the Tent where He ministers is the one erected by God the Father in Heaven.

God decided to impose a New Covenant when He knew the Jewish people would not be able to keep the Old Covenant He made with them at Sinai. The people had to constantly remind one another to keep the Law and serve the Lord. Under the New Covenant, the Law is placed in the hearts of the faithful and they will know it from within, not just from a book. This is the relationship God has always desired with humans, inward and all encompassing.

The mystical implications cannot be overemphasized: God wants to be in our lives and in our hearts on a permanent basis, not just on worship days. Therefore, the New Covenant entails the reformation of the very thoughts of the person joining it. But why do so many “Christians” fail to live the New Covenant? The human condition is one of pride and self-esteem. We want to do things our own way, including our own spiritual enlightenment. God’s way is too easy for some, they want a difficult process of flagellation and penance. For others the surrender of absolute sovereignty over our own souls is the sticking point. It becomes too hard for these to relinquish control of their hearts to the One Who made them. And they remain lost in the fog of their own efforts to be in charge of their lives.

No one said it is easy to give up control, nor is the simplicity of the Gospel an indication of ease of transition. Our fallen nature, the unnatural nature we have due to the bondage of sin and death, fights tooth and claw to remain in place. Only divine intervention of the most drastic kind will bring us back to the original nature God created us with.

This is the purpose of the New Covenant, to return humanity to the original nature of man. When that has been accomplished in all the world, there will be no need for preachers, prophets or teachers of God’s Word, for the Word of God will dwell in the hearts of all humanity. He will bring us into right standing with God through the metanoia, the change of thinking, that is wrought by the indwelling of Christ and the Holy Spirit. We cannot do this on our own, but He will not do it to us without our cooperation. That is, it is a joint effort of two entities working together in the same purpose. Why don’t you practice working with Him?

Ol’ Fuzzy is not employable and was denied for disability benefits. The only thing I have is the blogs. But I don’t qualify for ads on the blogs until there is enough traffic on the blogs to interest advertisers (20,000 hits per month). If you like the scribbles I post, please help me keep it going. You can leave me a gratuity by dropping a buck or two in Ol' Fuzzy's Tip Jar. This is a PayPal account I opened on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.