THE SECOND COMING
Today, three Bible passages are shared that address questions on receiving grace and having merit with GOD. The divine commandment is that we honor both father and mother. Few mature Christians are likely to express judgment against their own parents, or call for favor from GOD to be granted one of their parents that would generate division, divorce, and their separation. Criticizing, condemning, and coming between ones own parents are accounted as arrogant, hateful, malicious, presumptuous, unloving, and unrighteous. Were a son or daughter to make a request of Jesus on behalf of their parents like that made for James and John, the sons of Zebedee, the Risen Lord might well respond in a similar way. [It is written: Matthew 20: 20-24, King James Version (KJV): 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.] Correctly understood, proper merit and worthiness for the things of divinity exist only among the persons within the GODhead where there is oneness without sameness that appears through mutual acceptance, complementary accomplishments, combined authority, one-of-a-kind commitment and faithfulness, specific eternal purposes, miracles and one-time events, and unified displays of divine worth. Examples are seen in such sacred operations as atonement, propitiation, revelation, forgiveness, judgment, Incarnation, resurrection, sacrifice, sanctification, and suffering. One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data appears) posted the following:
If you could choose, but only could choose one. Who would you say deserves heaven; your father or your mother?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalms 51: 16-17, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Forgiveness, Grace and Merit (06/22/2017); Held Accountable by GOD? (03/31/2017); ...Because GOD Loves You (03/05/2017); On Accepting Divine Judgment (02/26/2017); Saying “GOD is Love” (12/18/2016); Choice, Duty, and Obligation? (11/17/2016); Judgment Focused On Content? (08/30/2016); Asking For Answers From GOD? (05/21/2015); Approaching Mothers Day (05/07/2015); A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); Commanding the Storm? (05/08/2013)
“Anonymous”, there is a whole group of questions similar to this one of yours that all must be answered pretty much the same way. Included are: Who deserves to be created? Who deserves to be healed? Who deserves to be forgiven? Who deserves to be loved by GOD? Who deserves to be saved from hellfire? Who deserves a great life and happiness from GOD (i.e., a fine-looking spouse, wealth, a big house, nice car, fun job, etc.)? In a sense, the choice is easy because it is made by the law and not on the basis of emotion, feelings, and kinship. Even so, mature Christian believers would all be likely to answer these questions with statements from the holy writings that speak to the awesomeness, grace, ownership, divine prerogative, eternal purposes, righteousness in judgment, sovereign will, and love of GOD. There is no single, short, sweet answer, yet, there are lessons and points of truth that will nourish. Consider again the following three passages:
(1.) Luke 7: 36-50, King James Version (KJV): 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
(2.) 1st John 4: 7-11, KJV: 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
(3.) Isaiah 57: 15-21, KJV: 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. 17 For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. 18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. 19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. 20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Of course, there is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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