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Should not we be faithful in our marriage, even if our spouse is not?

God always stays faithful to His covenant with us. When we were unfaithful to Him, He brought us healing by sacrificing His own life.   The Lord told Hosea (Hosea 3:1), to return to his wife although she was an adulteress.  God further told him to love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they were unfaithful to Him.

Yes... one should stay faithful even if the other partner is not. 2 wrongs do not make it right or give it an excuss to behave in such manner.
    yes.. it may be hard to stay with the cheating mate. but with the Love of the Lord.. "all things are possible". And the scripture you gave is great.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b207/tinabaran/joy_01_sm.gif)

Amen Tina, as painful as it may be for the injured spouse, I believe, that the couple should both go to Marriage Counseling, preferably through their Pastor. And if the injured spouse feels he/she can definitely work things out then so be it, if however the cheating spouse still refuses to stop, commiting adultery though, I don't see why the injured spouse should be bound to that marriage. The cheating spouse broke the marriage covenant and as Jesus said that is the only grounds for divorce.

Mt 5:31  It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Mt 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

WBN

 
Our blessed Saviour still proceeds in vindicating and clearing the seventh commandment from the corrupt glosses of the Pharisees. Almighty God had tolerated the Jews, in case of uncleanness, to put away their wives by a bill of divorce, De 24:1
 
Hereupon the Pharisees maintained it lawful to put away the wife upon every slight occasion.  This abuse Christ corrects; and shows that divorce, except in case of adultery, is a certain breach of the seventh commandment.
 
Learn, 1. That so indissoluble is the marriage-covenant betwixt two persons, that nothing but adultery, which violates the bands of marriage, can dissolve or disannul it.
 
Learn, 2. When persons are unjustly put away, it is unlawful for them to marry to any other, or for others knowingly to marry to them.


Mt 5:27 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Mt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

God institutionalized Marriage to God it is as a blood covenant, He expects the husband and the wife to remain faithful one to another.

A husband is commanded to love his wife as Christ loves the Church

 Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
 Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.


If a man loves his wife as Christ loves the Church, he would not commit adultery, this also applies to the wife, who is to love and reverance her husband

 Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Amen!

Being the man of the house if my wife were to cheat on me with another man I would also have to reflect upon my walk with Christ.  I know and have posted before that if a man were walking right with Christ then the wife, if also saved, would follow that man to the ends of the earth.  Their relationship will be on a level where sexual gratification is no longer the primary focus of the relationship.  Their focus will be on Jesus. 

In situations where both are saved and one is sinning, once realized and confessed to Jesus the sin is forgiven.  And a correct walk can be started.  And if the hurt spouse is also enjoying a relationship with Christ then the Holy Spirit will move in that person and help them along as well.  Praise God for that.

No matter the situation if even one of the people involved is letting Christ lead and guide them and handles the situation with prayer and acceptance then Jesus will not let that person down and they will end up in a better situation than before.  Even if that is a divorced situation.  Jesus will strengthen them throughout the trial.

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

Amen Brother Jerry.

God considers marriage so sacred that He  compares Jesus as being the Husband and the Church being His Bride.

God also for this reason warns against being unequally yoked with an unbeliever, and unbeliever could pull a weak or new Christian away from God. That would be as bad as adultery, in the Bible it is also reffered to fornication. The words fornication, and adultery actually mean the same.

God told Hosea to take this wife for a reason.
This prophet has NOTHING to do with todays marriages but his life was a living allegory of Gods patience with a adulterous nation

The fact is no matter what gets presented about Hosea, GOD ENDED this covenant eventually (Zech 11:10-11)), showing that He himself is a divorcee, so to speak...which aligns perfectly with Jesus Christs (aka GOD) own exception for the same "apostacy' (adultery) against the marital covenant.

The ONLY way this Hosea arguement would even have a leg to stand on is if God had NOT ended the Mosiac covenant with Israel...and *IF* Jesus (aka GOD) had not given a clear exception for sexual immorality (porneia)

We shouldnt cheat on our spouse just because they do, but once put away for sexual sin, we are no longer married to them at all.

Yes~  our covenant is not only to our spouse,  but also to God, who provided an example with His own heart,  for us to follow.  Even though God 'divorced' Israel for 'her' unfaithfulness,  Jerimiah records His heart:  'Return,  O backsliding children, saith Jehovah;  for I am a husband unto you...'  (Jer. 3:14).   In verse 8 of the same reference,  God had declared His divorce from Israel... yet remained 'bound' to 'her'.   

The Apostle Paul's teachings align with this as well in his statement to the Corinthians that IF seperation occurs,  the couple is to reconcilie or remain single,  with reconciliation in mind  (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

I agree, ibTina~  with the Lord,  'ALL things are possible'.


 

Theres a bit more to the story in 1 Cor 7 than what is presented here.

http://divorceandremarriage.bravehost.com/1corstudy.html

Hi FOC~

I followed the link you provided... and while I appreciate the study,  I respectfully disagree with your thought that 1 Cor. 7:10-11 is making a distinction to those with an unbelieving spouse.   

1 Cor. 7:10-11:  But to the married (italics mine) I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife shoud not leave her husband.  11) but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

Immediately following,  Paul speaks to those with unbelieving spouses (vs 12-16) as a seperate issue.   I don't see these verses as defining the 'married' people of verses 10-11.   

Im not sure if we agree or disagree.
possibly you misunderstood what I have written.

Paul makes it very clear that his audience has changed to those who are UNequally yoked in verse 12....and states plainly that he has nothing from the Lord in this matter, but is speaking himself.

"But to the REST" is absolutely showing the the previous commandment is pertaining to that previous group, and that he is now laying out the rules for this new group.

It is safe to assume that the previous group MUST be a couple who are both believers (whom will BOTH obey God and Pauls instruction, hopefully) as this new group is those who are clearly NOT both believers (of whom at least one party will most likely not care at all what God or Paul has to say)

The way you worded your post, you seem to almost be agreeing with this idea...are you?

You said...

"Paul speaks to those with unbelieving spouses (vs 12-16) as a seperate issue.   I don't see these verses as defining the 'married' people of verses 10-11"

Unless Im somehow mistaking you, I agree 100% that there are two separate issues being dealt with here...marriage where are BOTH christians (these are BOTH commanded to remain unmarried or reconcile)...and to those whom are UNequally yoked (v12-16) to whom no commandment is given
...and they are told clearly that they are not in bondage to this union with this unbeliever who deserts


One thing that is pretty much absolute...in verse 12 Paul IS making a distinction between this new group and the group in v 10-11...."but  to the rest speak *I*, not the Lord" is more than proof of this.

And the final fact of the matter is that Paul is definitely showing that the believer is NOT in bondage to this deserting UNbeliever.
There IS some distinction being made there very clearly otherwise this would also apply to a couple who were BOTH believers where one has deserted as well.

IN verses 10-11 both are commanded NOT to leave (only two believers would even be willing to accept this instructions. Non believers for the most part arent going to care what a God they dont believe has to say) while in verses 12-16 we are dealing with a situation where the UNbeliever can leave and the believer isnt not in bondage ( a slave) to this union.
A slave not in bondage has no master.




There is more covered here
http://divorceandremarriage.bravehost.com/

Additionally....if Im not understanding your post (it is worded a bit confusing) then its fine that you disagree with my understanding.

Ive spent enough time on this topic that Im very comfortable with my views at the present time.
We can discuss it further if  youd like or we can leave it at agreeing to disagree.....its your call :)

Additionally, on this point, this is only presenting part of the truth.

You seem to present that God was still 'bound' at that point.
But the fact is that He did indeed end up doing away with that covenant with Israel....

And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD. And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
(Zec 11:10-12)


At the point you are quoting from, yes God may have still bound Himself to that covenant...but it did not stay that way.

That covenant with the nation of Israel was ended over idolatry/harlotry....Any Jewish folks who come since the cross will come thru this new covenant....there is no other way at this point.

The point is that it is irrelevant to state that God was still 'bound' at that point in time....eventually that covenant was indeed ended over the adulterous actions of Israel.

I see where you're coming from here.   The moment Adam sinned,  I think God had His plan of redemption already in mind.  Though it came at just the right time,  everything led up to that moment Jesus instituted His kingdom.   The law,  though it could not,  and does not save,  had it's purpose.  Israel had it's purpose... giving birth to it's Messiah.   I'm not sure the 'covenant of God's divorce'  with Israel completely severes them from Him.   One day they WILL accept Him as their Messiah. 

This is very true.
And thats just it, these MUST accept their Messiah..they cannot come thru that covenant that was ended.

Romans speaks of a 'remnant' of Israel whom God has seemingly kept throughout the ages.
The masses were pretty much always out of step with God, in sin....but there has always been this remnant.

When Jesus came, this 'remnant' were those who accepted Him....and after the cross the remnant are those who still accept their messiah....maybe not at first, but at some point they will.

He hasnt cast them away, there is always a remnant He has kept for Himself.
After the old covenant was ended tho, no one comes thru that economy put away.

Marriage being an allegorical example of our relationship to God, we see that He did put away a covenant for 'adulteries' of His beloved.

Its not an exact comparision....but neither do we marry millions of wives...so it would be hard to make the comparision any closer than to just accept that the 'husband' (God) did indeed end this covenant with His 'wife' (His beloved...Israel).

So God hasnt cast away Israel...they CAN stil come to Him...but only thru this new covenant Christ has made with His blood with His bride.

Additionally, we see that in Hebrews 6 and 10 that there is still an allowance for those who fall away (reject) this covenant after making themselves part of it...if they apostate themselves from Him.
In the same manner a wife can 'apostate' (with adultery) herself from her marriage covenant.

If we do WILLFULLY apostate ourselves from this covenant, Hewbrews shows that there is no sacrifice remaining for our sin from that point.
If the spouse willfully apostates themselves from the marriage covenant.....it is in perfect agreement that Christ has permitted an exception that ends this covenant entirely.

Now we can say that these were never truly 'saved' as some do, but the point remains, they DID come into this covenant and were sancified by the blood of said covenant...only to then reject it.
We can still apply this same type of scenario to a spouse who never really meant their vows....or thought they did and soon set them aside anyway and apostated themselves.

Id post links to what Ive written to help explain my views more, but theyd probably be deleted.

One of the most rewawrding studies I've done has been in the book of Galatians... I'm still 'feasting' there.   :)   

Chapter 3 is  most enlightening in teaching what the 'old economy' was.    Verse 19 states the law was 'added' temporarily, to act as a teacher showing the impossibility of human 'sin natures' to keep the law~  that we desperately needed a redeemer.    However,  people where 'kept' under the law (that included a 'measure' of mercy)...  until faith was revealed through Christ Jesus (vs22-23). 

The promise  made to Abraham  (that in his 'seed' (Jesus) would be his inheritance)  was given to him 430 years BEFORE the law was given.   Rather than over riding Abraham's promise,  the temporary giving of the law helped facilitate it. 

I understand Galatians to show us that law was intented to be temporary, showed us our need for redemption,  and ushered in the 'economy of faith in Christ Jesus'.   This was God's plan of salvation all along,  the plan of promise (given to Abraham).

Just so we're on the same page... I understand this apostasy to mean, in essence, the person is NOW renouncing the Blood of Jesus that they once had genuine faith in as the only means of their salvation... they truly have a regenerated heart.

I can't imagine the heart condition of a person that is in that situation... of having TRULY known the riches of God's glory,  to then renounce the Blood that saves them.   Once this person REFUSES to trust,  there is no other way of salvation.   I think the person who finds themselves truly  'apostate'  is extremely hardened,  and would find it the closest thing to impossible,  to overcome the bondage to ever trust again.   But... IF they could... I believe Jesus would receive them back into His grace. 

We are saved by His faithfulness. (In the Revelation, He is given the title~ 'Faithful and True'.)

Exactly....renouncing is just what apostacy seems to be.
When we look at Hebrews, and a study of the times, we see that some Jewish converts were pretty much doing this to keep from being persecuted.
Paul says in Acts, that he caused men to blaspheme even, before his conversion, which indicates that bringing about their 'apostacy' towards this covenant and our Lords sacrifice (which I personally believe was a torment to Paul, knowing what he caused his own brethren to do before he learned the truth)



Now, let me ask, are you going with Gods word in this matter, or your 'gut feeling' ?

Hewbrews warnings werent written in a vacuum...they were written to Jewish converts who, because of persecution to them and their families, were turning away from the faith...read chapters 6 and 10 and then do a quick study of the time...there should be a lot on the internet you can read on this.

Im not OSAS, so we may not see eye to eye on this ifyou are....but the point is that some claim that nothing we can do can remove us from the sacrifce of His blood....perpetually and unconditionally "saved".
While I believe the scripture that NOTHING can 'remove' us from His grasp...no NT scripture ever states that WE cannot apostate ourselves of our own free will...and the scripture DOES show that we CAN do this in its warnings against falling away.

One does not 'fall' from something it has not attained.
I personally believe the scripture as a whole in this matter.
While nothing can take us from His hand....WE have the choice to jump from it...to fall away, for whatever reason.

Because of Peter I dont believe this happens in a moment of fear and doubt, in simply saying we dont know Him...but in purposeful, intentional rejecting and renouncing of what we had begun with Him...with His covenant.

Folks dont have to agree with me, but scripture presents it as true.

This falls in perfect alignment with His words in Matt 5:32 and 19:9....that harlotry (adultery/apostacy) against ones marital is cause for divorce.


adulteress
G3428
μοιχαλίς
moichalis
Thayer Definition:
1) an adulteress
2) as the intimate alliance of God with the people of Israel was likened to a marriage, those who relapse into idolatry are said to commit adultery or play the harlot
2a) fig. equiv. to faithless to God, unclean, apostate

The focus of our salvation is in this part of your quote: 'While nothing can take us from His hand....WE have the choice to jump from it...to fall away, for whatever reason.'

Even IF one DOES walk away from the Lord... HE remains faithful.  He does not 'divorce' Himself from us,  nor find another 'wife'.   Rather,   He let's us make our painful (especially to Him) choices,   and works with us to help us see the error of our way. And when we do... welcomes us back into His loving grace.

The problem with this theology is that God was 'faithful' even before this covenant.
Do you believe taht God WASNT faithful to Israel in the previous covenant?
Of course He was....and this faithfulness does not alter the fact that that covenant was indeed finally ended.

Also, you still have to deal with CLEAR, DECISIVE warnings about falling away.
One doesnt fall from a height that one never attained....and I dont buy into this deception that the warnings are for 'show' as some seem to teach.

The fact is that Gods word in Hebrews 6 and 10 presents some that come to into this covenant and are indeed sanctified by His blood who do, clearly of their own accord and own free will, fall away from that state and there 'remains no sacrifice left' for their sins.

I personaly choose not to make these things allegory and parables as they are not presented in any such manner. They are clear warnings given to those who ARE IN the church...aka 'christian'....

I beg to differ friend...blaspheme His Holy Spirit and rest assured you WILL find yourself 'divorced' (apostate).

My point IS and HAS BEEN,  that God is FAITHFUL.   (YOU are the one implying He is not... that HE allows remarriage after divorce.)  His divorce from Israel did NOT change that,  it did NOT seperate His bond from them.   To twist scripture to say it has,  and that divorce and remarriage are permitted today because of it~  is ERROR.

Again,  the old covenant of the law was a temporary 'tool' to show us our need of a savior.   It facilitated the new covenant of 'faith in Christ'.   It's not an 'allegory' of marriage.   And it most definately does not provide 'loopholes'.


Assigning the same definition to both 'apostate' and 'divorce'  does not provide the 'loophole' of remarriage you imply it does.   Even if one becomes apostate,  it does NOT change the faithfulness of God... and if it were POSSIBLE for the apostate to return to Him,  God would most definately receive them.

foc



Simply because they are in the church does not mean that they are Christian.

____________________

Brothers and Sisters,

Let's be very careful here that we don't get carried away with this subject. It will not get to the point of accusations, name calling or making determinations of anyones salvation or it will be locked and respective warnings given.

Sorry, I am implying nor stating no  such thing.
If you believe I am, then you arent comprehending what is being stated.

God CAN remain faithful even if man is not.
This does not require God to keep an apostate. Do you understand that concept or not?
REad Hebrews 6 and 10 and take off the doctrinal lenses when you do.
Those warnings are not a joke, nor are they meaningless



PROVE to me that He doesnt.
Not with simply presenting that adultery is committed upon remarriage in certain cases....but SHOW me the money.....GIVE me precise scripture that PROVES that remarriage is forbidden.

i eagerly await your response. :)


(edited out, for disrespect to other forum members. Moderator)

I can provide from scripture a covenant put away with an adulterous nation and a new 'bride' taken.
What do you have as evidence/ proof for your belief except a few passages that are cleared up with 'except for whoredom' ? :)

I know precisely what the old covenant was..thank you very much.
What it was does not negate what it did and what it represents..

Sure it is an allegory of marriage.

Do you even understand what 'marriage' is? what it is representative of?
Marriage IS representative of our relationship with our God and His covenants to us.

I submit your failure to understand this is probably where your error possibly begins.

Im sorry, I need no 'loophole'..i have the direct words of Jesus Christ (aka GOD) Himself......EXCEPT for harlotry....

You seem to be presenting what you WISH to believe as opposed to what Gods clear word states plainly.
I suggest you read again Hebrews 6 and 10 and see what GOD says on this matter.

God being faithful does not mean that God must 'keep' an apostate.
You seem to not be grasping this fact at all.

God is also 'faithful' to be Judge as well as Savior.

The text is clear enough...


====================================================
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
(Heb 6:6)

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(Heb 10:26)


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?
(Heb 10:29)

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
(Heb 6:4)
===================================================================


These are not men who were never part of His church.

These had repented as proven by the text.
They were 'sanctified' by the blood of the covenant as proven by the text
Their sins were covered by the sacrifice as proven by the text.
They were "made partakers of the Holy Spirit"

This hardly sounds like a man who hasnt made a proclaimation as a christian.
Given the rest of Heb 10 I believe its safe to assume that the writer is speaking to those who ARE born again and in fellowship...warning them against this type of apostacy.

Lets allow the text to present what it does and not let personal doctrine cloud the issue.




You wont get these accusations from me, Im remarried while my former spouse lives.

~foc~

I've stated my views based on scripture (Galatians),  and hold those truthes to be valid.   I find your last couple responses inflamitory and disrespectful, at best. 

I'm new to ChristiansUnite,  and rather like the forum.   I won't risk warnings or banning, responding to your hurtful remarks. 

May you prosper as your soul prospers.   :)

:)
Ive already been thru Galatian and the NT going on 300 times at this point, so I understand that from the very beginning that God knew this first covenant was not permanent.

That fact does not nullify what occurred.
Gods foreknowledge does not do away with what transpired concerning that covenant being put awar for His 'beloved's playing the harlot.

Foreknowledge or not, that covenant with that adulteryous nation was put away, fully and finally broken by God Himself (zech 11, if memory serves)

Does God having foreknowledge that Lucifer would fall negate that he did ?
No, it does not. God is all-knowing, He knew Lucifer would do just what he did....Gods knowing this beforehand did not alter what occurred.
Gods plan that He had in place all along does not nullify what DID happen ...that Israel played the perpetual harlot and so that covenant was put away with her.
This is what the context of the whole of scripture provides...

In fact, I think this confirms that harlotry is just cause to end a marriage thus enabling one a remarry another.
God KNEW beforehand that He was making a covenant with a nation that would play the harlot and had already decided that this covenant would be put away well  before the Mosaic economy ever even began.

Those who dont think harlotry is such a big issue to God need to go back to Deut 22 and see the punishment for a betrothed wife who committed this sin.
Not only was she stoned horribly to her dieath, but at the doorstep of her own father where they could hear her cries while she was beaten to death with rocks.

Jesus exceptoin offers mercy to the harlot while providing protection to the innocent and it fits the whole of scripture perfectly.

Brothers and Sisters,

I simply wanted to make a few comments. I give thanks that we place our faith in one who always keeps His Promises and is ever faithful, and that one is obviously not us or another man. That One is God, and we will be the only ones who fails, NOT HIM. NOW, here's the best part - our faith in Him and His Blood on the Cross makes our forgiveness possible. BUT, there is much more from the moment of Salvation - the ETERNAL Promises of GOD are given and WILL be kept PERFECTLY by HIM. God's Promises are not dependent upon our righteousness, rather the righteousness of JESUS CHRIST that can't ever fail.

I do wish to comment on a couple of other things. Israel has not been forgotten by God, and all of God's Promises to Israel will be kept perfectly at His appointed time. Israel has been put aside for a time, but God is not nearly through with His dealings with Israel. Just as an example, David committed adultery, but God has and WILL keep His Promises to David, even though David failed miserably. We must also consider vast differences between Law and Grace and know there are portions of Scripture in the New Testament that draw dramatic differences between the two - rightfully so. JESUS and the CROSS is the most important and precious event in human history. One should not take these comparisons as another period of Law, rather as an undeserved Grace, Love, and a way provided by God to be rescued from the curse of sin and death. We should always remember that there is nothing about us and nothing that we do to make us worthy. JESUS paid the price to make us fit, and we are His Purchased possessions from the moment of Salvation to the endless ages of eternity to come. I give thanks that I depend on JESUS and not myself.

There is much more that I give thanks for, but JESUS and the CROSS is always at the top of my list. The Promises of God answer many questions that have bothered mankind for centuries. Examples:  1) Am I lost again if I sin?  2) Do I lose Salvation if I go into a coma and can't do any good works for the LORD?  3) Do I lose Salvation if I have a stroke, go insane, or otherwise lose mental health and curse God?  4) Am I in charge of my own Salvation and choose to leave God and throw my Salvation away?

NOW, here's the best part - the answers to the above questions - NO!  If I am really saved, I am finally saved for eternity because of the Promises of God, and no power in the universe can separate me from the love of God. God will keep His Promises to me regardless of how many promises I break, how many times I stumble and sin, and how many times I miserably fail. This is why man was in desperate need of a Saviour, and the work of Salvation was finished perfectly on the CROSS about 2,000 years ago. No man can add anything to it nor take anything from it.


Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Amen!  I also add that 'amen' to your thought that the 'cross' is central to all of time... the focus of the ages.   People of the OT looked forward to this event,  as NT people look back on it.

Good advice, Firelight

Hello Firelight,

And now because of God's Great Love and Gift to us, the living members of the Great Shepherd's flock joyously await His Second Coming. Those who have already physically died in Christ are with Him now, and we who are alive will join Him at His appointed time. His promises to His children will be kept perfectly for eternity.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Matthew 5:14-16 NASB  "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Amen Firelight. All of God's children have a great time to look forward to because of Him.

Why was this post editted ?

Fl, I wasnt meaning to flame you at all.
If you feel I have, I do ask that you present to me what it was that is supposedly flaming and disrespectful towards you.

If its just that we disagree, then just agree to disagree and lets be done with this.

If you believe I behaving improperly, then at least point out where Ive broken the rules here :)

Well since you asked, how about disrepecting other members, in your case calling another member "errant." No member on this forum is errant.

That would be, this part of the rules.

"Disrespect, mockery, or blasphemy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Bible, and Christianity are not permitted here."

This includes when responding to other Christians here at Christians Unite.
Moderator

'...God must 'keep' an apostate'~   let's look at this a minute.   Pictures of God forcing someone against their will, to walk with Him,  come to mind...like a parent holding the hand of a wandering disobedient child, dragging them along where they want them to go.   

I know of no one who believes God is this way.    God forces none to walk with Him... but when they choose to (even after sin)... He will MORE than accomodate them. 

I have to thank you, foc... for giving me one more opportunity to worship the Lord Jesus for His faithful salvation 

Thank you for giving me to opportunity to present that God IS faithful not only as Savior but also as Judge.



For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 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?
(Heb 10:26-29)



For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
(Heb 6:4-6)

 
He ENDED the covenant He made with their forefathers out of Egypt.
There is so much scripture to prove this I dont even know where to begin


Play whatever semantics game you wish to prove yourself friend...a covenant WAS set aside for adulterous actions of the Israelites.....

That He has a remnant of Jews does NOT negate the fact that the covenant with the Nation as a whole has been PUT AWAY/ENDED

Hello -foc-,

I'm not going to argue with you. I'll simply ask you to read your Bible and see what happens between God and Israel after the Second Coming of CHRIST. GOD has made promises to Israel, and they will be fulfilled perfectly at His appointed time.

OR, I guess that you could be one of those folks who don't believe that JESUS CHRIST Himself will claim HIS CROWN as KING of Israel and rule and reign over the earth from the Throne of David in Jerusalem for 1,000 years. JESUS CHRIST is already the KING of KINGS and has a Heavenly Kingdom, but HE is also the anointed KING of Israel and will claim HIS earthly Throne and Kingdom. This will be done most perfectly after HIS Second Coming and HIS crushing the forces of evil on the earth. This will be reality, and it can't be explained away, spiritualized, or otherwise dismissed as a dream or anything other than absolute Bible fact. JESUS CHRIST will also reign over the house of Jacob forever. This will be done because GOD said it would be done.

This is not the debate area of the forum, so you are advised this is an area for peaceful discussions between Brothers and Sisters in CHRIST. If you want to go further than this, you can start a thread in the debate area, but there are still rules there. Anyone who wishes to join you in the debate area is welcome to, but you are being told bluntly that this is not the debate area. Contrary to what you might believe, Christians with varying opinions can have discussions without being rude and hateful. You have an opinion and that's all it is - an opinion. It would be helpful for you to put the portions of Scripture you are using in context and understand: who the speaker is - the intended audience - and the purpose of the message. This would be especially true with Hebrews. This basic study method is called "rightly dividing the Word of Truth".

Being polite to other forum members is called the Forum Rules.

Moderator

Revelation 20:6 NASB  Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Jeremaiah 3:14 references God's heart AFTER He had 'divorced' Israel  (vs8),   'Return, O backsliding children,  saith the LORD,  for I am married unto you...'   God's divorce,  according to Jeremaiah,  did NOT seperate His bond from them,  and did NOT alter God's faithfulness.

An interesting side note from another's comentary is that God's action of 'divorce', simply put Israel out of His presense to operate on their own, apart from God's blessing.   It was a corrective action,  intended to bring them back into repentance and fellowship with Him  (as Jer. 3:14 eludes).  ( It didn't break the bond God had with Israel.)
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Edited to add:   We'll have to agree to disagree, foc... in the interest of preventing repititous dialogue.