Binary, 28

 ~ Binary: Softening or Hardening ~

 

Series Comment  ~  When it comes to spiritual paths it is strictly a binary choice. 

(1)   It is a choice between the True or False.  “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).  [See Post #1 in this series.]

(2)   It is a choice between Do or Done.  Jesus said, “It [the work of salvation] is finished!” (John 19:30).  Your Doing can add nothing to what Christ has Done for you.  [See Post #2 in this series.]

(3)   It is your choice between Religion or Relationship.  Religions are geared toward self-effort whereas Christianity is an intimacy with the only One who can save.  Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).  [See Post #3 in this series.]

 

Important Note  ~  We are currently in a binary sub-series of quoting short sections from books that draw parallels between physical light (the sun) and spiritual light (the Son) by Robert Lloyd Russell.

 

Quote  ~  The same sun that melts the snow hardens the soft mud into hard barren ground. When the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign, He responded at one point with questions, each of which stated its own answer: “Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?” … ‘How is it you do not understand?’” (Mark 8:17b-18, 21b).

 

The sun can harden or soften. You can listen to the words of the Son and be hardened or softened. You can look, but through spiritual blindness not observe. You can listen but not hear.

 

Reference  ~  We are now in the process of quoting short sections from the ebook: “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” (https://books2read.com/GodsNature).

 

Also from the print book: “GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight” (https://booksrlr.com/printbooks/god-light-sunlight-sonlight/).  ­­­­­­­­­­

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

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God Attribute, 29

 ~ God “Forgets” ~

 

This Series  ~  This series of posts looks at some of the many attributes of God.  Generally, we move in alphabetical order.

 

Scripture  ~  “No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).

 

Comment  ~  While this verse is very comforting to many it also creates a discomfort to some.  How can an all-knowing God forget anything?  The key is the meaning of the word “remember” in this verse.  Basically, it means I will no longer hold those sins against you – I will wipe the ledger clean. 

 

Consider that in our society people say that we should “forgive and forget.”  While that may seem like a great idea those who suffered severe wrong often are unable to forget.  There have been numerous examples in recent history that illustrate this.  Perhaps one of the most notable was Corey ten Boom who went with her tormentor and explained her forgiveness – how could she have even gone to him, or even remembered his name if she had “forgotten” the whole thing.  Luis Zamperini is another example, and there are many others. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Why Trust God? 22

 ~ God Controls Light (Exodus 9of12) ~

 

Introduction  ~  “Abundant Life Now” previously provided a list of Biblical of examples of fearing / reverencing God (217 posts).  In this current series we look at Biblical accounts that demonstrate that we can fully trust God.  Initially we posted seven general reasons for trusting God.  We are currently looking at passages from all 66 books of Scripture which demonstrate a reason for trusting our Creator. 

 

Scripture  ~  “So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days” (Exodus 10:22).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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