Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Ignorant of ignorance!


It is one thing to be ignorant, but when you are ignorant of your own ignorance, it is truly a sad situation!
Ignorance in any sphere of life can cause people to embarrass themselves by their behavior.  They may be sincere, but reveal their own ignorance in regard to their ignorance.
An example of this is given from the field of science.  In a book entitled, “Death by Black Hole and other cosmic Quandaries” by the popular TV science host and astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, page 220:

A now famous science fair experiment that tested anti-technology sentiments and associated chemical-phobias was conducted in 1997 by Nathan Zohner, a 14 year-old student at Eagle Rock Junior High school in Idaho.  He invited people to sign a petition that demanded either strict control of, or a total ban on, dihydrogen monoxide.  He listed some of the odious properties of this colorless and odorless substance:
  • It is a major component of acid rain
  • It eventually dissolves almost anything it comes in contact with
  • It can kill if accidentally inhaled
  • It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
  • It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients
Forty-three out of 50 people approached by Zohner signed the petition, six were undecided, and one was a great supporter of dihydrogen and refused to sign. 

Yes, 86 percent of the passersby voted to ban water from the environment.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A much greater danger is that of being ignorant of one's own ignorance of God's will.

The Israelites were ignorant of their own ignorance of whose way was right –   Ezek. 33:17-20
The Israelites were ignorant of their own ignorance of their rejection of God –   Hosea 4:1-6
The Ninevites were ignorant of their own ignorance of good and evil –   Jonah 4:11
The Israelites were ignorant of their own ignorance of God’s love –   Malachi 1:2
Blind leaders and blind followers were ignorant of their own ignorance of what defiles –   Matt. 15:14
The Jews were ignorant of their own ignorance of righteousness –   Romans 10:2-3
False teachers were ignorant of their own ignorance of the day of the Lord –   2 Peter 3:5
The Laodiceans were ignorant of their own ignorance of their lukewarmness – Rev. 3:17-18

CONSIDER:
When we defend our right to practice religion by a standard of self-authority, i.e., "doing what is right in our own eyes" (Judges 21:25); while denying this right to others because they, 'in their eyes' choose to practice religion by a standard of BIBLE ONLY authority, are we not IGNORANT OF OUR OWN IGNORANCE?


What of the condemnation of "judging" by "passing judgment" that "judging" is wrong? Are we not demonstrating an IGNORANCE OF OUR OWN IGNORANCE?


What of the PURPOSE of BAPTISM? In rejecting is as necessary to salvation, then turning around and doing it for another reason, yet still affirming that it has nothing to do with salvation...are we not IGNORANT OF OUR OWN IGNORANCE?


What of affirming that "one church is as good as another", then condemn those who are members of a Church of Christ for teaching that Christ built only one? Is this not demonstrating an IGNORANCE OF OUR OWN IGNORANCE?


If "one...is as good as another".......why do you speak evil of THAT one? If THAT one is really as good as.....why do you fear to attend when invited to THAT one?


Could it be that, in reality, you believe that YOUR church is the only one that is right???


Your attendance habits speaks volumes on this matter.........

Monday, September 24, 2012

Are you a 'Liberal'?

"Liberal"


Is it a good or bad concept? So often, from being used in opposition to ‘conservative’, the term can be stereotyped as solely negative and thus to be avoided as a Christian. However, the Biblical definition needs to be re-studied as opposed to the modern-day English definition. Thereby, we can have the proper understanding and appreciation of it as God has declared in His Word.

Two words for consideration/study will be suggested: ‘liberal’ and ‘liberality’

LIBERAL
Passages: Prov. 11:25; Isa. 32:5, 8; 2 Cor. 9:13

1) Prov. 11:25 – The LIBERAL soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. – KJV
The word here is: Bĕrakah – (noun)

Strong’s definitions:
1) blessing
2) (source of) blessing
3) blessing, prosperity
4) blessing, praise of God
5) a gift, present
6) treaty of peace

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "Whoever ‘brings blessing’ will be enriched, and ‘one who waters’ will himself be watered." [ESV]

2) Isa. 32:5 – The vile person shall be no more called LIBERAL , nor the churl said [to be] bountiful. – KJV
The word here is: Nadiyb – (adjective)

Strong’s definitions:
1) inclined, willing, noble, generous
a) incited, inclined, willing
b) noble, princely (in rank)
c) noble (in mind and character)

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "The fool will no more be called ‘noble’, nor the scoundrel said to be ‘honorable’." [ESV]

Again, in:
Isa. 32:8 – But the LIBERAL deviseth LIBERAL things; and by LIBERAL things shall he stand. – KJV
Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "But he who is ‘noble’ plans ‘noble’ things, and on ‘noble’; things he stands." [ESV]


3) 2 Cor. 9:13 – Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for [your] LIBERAL distribution unto them, and unto all [men]; – KJV
The word here is: Haplotēs (noun)



Strong’s definitions:
1) singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty
a) the virtue of one who is free from pretence and hypocrisy
2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generousity

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the ‘generosity’ of your contribution for them and for all others..." [ESV]



W. E. Vine’s definitions of Liberal, Liberality, Liberally:
Denotes –
(a) "simplicity, sincerity, unaffectedness" (from haplous, "single, simple," in contrast to diplous, "double"), Rom. 12:8, "simplicity;" 2 Cor. 11:3 (in some mss. in 2 Cor. 1:12); Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22, singleness;"
(b) "simplicity as manifested in generous giving," "liberality," 2 Cor. 8:2;9:11 (AV, "bountifulness," RV marg., "singleness"); 9:13 (AV, "liberal").

{These terms reflect the focus on, and the dedication to the gospel, as well as the love for other brethren that a Christian has; which, in turn, is shown by generous giving}


LIBERALITY
1) 1 Cor. 16:3 – And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your LIBERALITY unto Jerusalem. – KJV
The word here is: Charis – (noun)
Strong’s definitions:

1) grace
a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2) good will, loving-kindness, favour
a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
3) what is due to grace
a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
b) the token or proof of grace, benefit
1) a gift of grace
2) benefit, bounty
4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward


Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your ‘gift’ to Jerusalem." [ESV]


2) 2 Cor. 8:2 – How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. – KJV
The word here is: Haplotēs – (noun)
Strong’s definitions:

1) singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty
a) the virtue of one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy
2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of ‘generosity’ on their part." [ESV]


CONCLUSION:
Do the words of the hymn: “Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all” really reflect the truth of your life?

~ Is the kingdom of God a hidden treasure that needs discovered by others?

~ How much are you willing to sacrifice so that others can discover it?

~ Does the preaching of the gospel REALLY mean that much to you?


Only if you are liberal...  


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