Justin takes chapters 31 through 40 of his first apology to recount all the prophesies in Scripture fulfilled by Christ. He was born of a virgin, in Bethlehem. They pierced his hands and feet and gambled for his clothes. David prophesied that last sentence but that did not happen to him. It happened to Jesus under the rule of Pontius Pilate, in real time and space. Jesus sacrificed his body for our sins, something Jupiter would not have done.
Prophetic words are powerful if they are from true prophets. This section was not as varied. I thought I would include an article from Tabletalk about words and their power. Dane Ortlund contributes this piece called "Encourage One Another." In this month's issue.
"Our words to one another about one another not only describe reality. They also create reality."
How often do we forget this is true? How did God create the whole world? He spoke words. Words can create worlds and give life. God also allowed his people to be able to change things with their words.
If we call someone an "idiot", he may not necessarily be one, but if you say it enough, he will start to believe you and lower his standards for himself. "Specifically, our words are either death-bringing or life-giving."
God's words only give life. "The 'word of truth, the gospel of your salvation,' is a word that gives life." Ephesians 1:13. God the Spirit caused you to hear the word of the Gospel to make you alive to his salvation. When sinners become believers in Jesus, the transition from speaking words of death to being able to speak living words. With other believers we are to pass on "horizontally a taste of what we've been given vertically." God gives his people words of welcome, love, and life. If a professing Christian still uses filthy language and negative speech, then it is safe to question the authenticity of his faith as God gives words of life and light to his elect.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, Paul calls us to "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up." What is the "therefore" there for? We are to encourage because "God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." We are guaranteed a happy ending. Let's celebrate by speaking words of joy and rejoicing. "Having been shown life through the word of the gospel, we give life through the words we use."
Ortlund considers the words he uses in this article and asks: "Are they bringing life?"
Now that we know we need to encourage people with our words, how do we do it? Ortlund cites two ways.
1. Say nothing. At funerals, in hospitals, in big decisions, learn not to spout out words. We want to say something, but it might have the wrong effect.
2. Say something. Ortlund did not just contradict himself. "All our words tumble out impelled by one of two motives. I am using words either for myself or for you." So really, we have to think of our words before we say them and decide if I am saying them to make me look good or if I really want to help others. Do I just want to be clever and wise, or do I want to assuage any pain? I can think of someone who recently miscarried a baby. Do I tell her words of wisdom that people say all the time? Or do I just say nothing? It take the latter because it is not the time to take attention away from the griever. It is time to direct her to the Lord instead. The best way is to focus on Jesus for myself. He can speak for himself.
What about Justin Martyr? It was the time in his life when he needed to talk to correct gross misunderstandings of the Christian faith and try to protect the people he loves from unjust litigation. The pagans needed to know the futility of their rituals, especially when they want to impose them on people who want to follow Jesus. In this case, the words will cut and hurt, but they will still give life by cutting the poison out of the way.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Justin M: Romans, Christians, and Rituals
Justin Martyr continues to distinguish between secular Roman religion versus Christianity, which they claim is atheistic.
Jupiter, the chief of their gods, had many children. They are all worshiped, but they are also all dead. Jupiter is an immoral man who rapes women and sleeps around. These gods are just arrogant men who asserted their authority among the people.
Christians who live near God in holiness and virtue are the ones who will live with him in his Kingdom. Justin uses the word "deified" but I think that is a bad word choice or translation. Christ's followers are not Christ nor do they become Christ. They are glorified, however. People who live apart from Christ, who live the life of Jupiter, will suffer an eternity in hell.
Greeks and Romans may have words of wisdom, some even true, but Christians speak differently. They speak the truth because they know the truth. They do not serve the dead deities or waste their resources on libations and blood offerings. They do not revel as a form of worship. They do not sacrifice victims.
Jupiter lusts for women, has to be rescued, and even got in trouble because of a concubine. Justin pities those who worship such a god. Our proper God made all men and women, values them all, and needs no rescuing.
As for the pagan orgies, Christians stand in stark contrast. They marry specifically to have childfen. If they are not married, they live in celibacy or continence. Today, doctors will call the inability to control the need to use the bathroom as incontinence. In the ancient world, that was the same thing to describe someone who had frequent sex outside of marriage. Christians can hold their fluids.
They do not rely on magic either. Christ's works are not illusions but really did happen in history and are still happening.
I read this article from Conrad Mbewe about why the Charismatic forms of Christianity thrive in Africa. Pagan African religion has all society on tiers. The highest tier is the gods. Then, there are angels and demons. Next are dead ancestors and spirits. Lowest are the people on the earth. The lowest people could not access the gods. If they needed a god, they needed to talk to a deceased relative. If they wanted good things, they would have to perform some ritual. If they needed to get bad luck off of their backs, they needed to do more rituals to satisfy the demon causing it. When Charismatic believers contextualized their message to the Africans, they simply changed the gods to God, they still live on earth, and they still have to appease him with rituals and wonders. They have to speak in tongues to have standing with God. Many do not know the God of the Scriptures.
People, this is not Christianity. This is your generic pagan religion that the Greeks and Romans used. Any place where you have to go through a mediator to get to Christ does not teach Christianity, no matter how Christian the names or good the deeds. Christ is the mediator and the only one that God accepts. And he performed all the rituals necessary for us to know God. If we do good things, it is because of him, not to get to him. If we had to rely on penance and alms and tongue-speaking and feeding the poor, we could never be assured of our standing with God. Thankfully, the Bible teaches something completely different, the grace of Christ, our only mediator to God who is God, and Christ's works that give us holiness.
Jupiter, the chief of their gods, had many children. They are all worshiped, but they are also all dead. Jupiter is an immoral man who rapes women and sleeps around. These gods are just arrogant men who asserted their authority among the people.
Christians who live near God in holiness and virtue are the ones who will live with him in his Kingdom. Justin uses the word "deified" but I think that is a bad word choice or translation. Christ's followers are not Christ nor do they become Christ. They are glorified, however. People who live apart from Christ, who live the life of Jupiter, will suffer an eternity in hell.
Greeks and Romans may have words of wisdom, some even true, but Christians speak differently. They speak the truth because they know the truth. They do not serve the dead deities or waste their resources on libations and blood offerings. They do not revel as a form of worship. They do not sacrifice victims.
Jupiter lusts for women, has to be rescued, and even got in trouble because of a concubine. Justin pities those who worship such a god. Our proper God made all men and women, values them all, and needs no rescuing.
As for the pagan orgies, Christians stand in stark contrast. They marry specifically to have childfen. If they are not married, they live in celibacy or continence. Today, doctors will call the inability to control the need to use the bathroom as incontinence. In the ancient world, that was the same thing to describe someone who had frequent sex outside of marriage. Christians can hold their fluids.
They do not rely on magic either. Christ's works are not illusions but really did happen in history and are still happening.
I read this article from Conrad Mbewe about why the Charismatic forms of Christianity thrive in Africa. Pagan African religion has all society on tiers. The highest tier is the gods. Then, there are angels and demons. Next are dead ancestors and spirits. Lowest are the people on the earth. The lowest people could not access the gods. If they needed a god, they needed to talk to a deceased relative. If they wanted good things, they would have to perform some ritual. If they needed to get bad luck off of their backs, they needed to do more rituals to satisfy the demon causing it. When Charismatic believers contextualized their message to the Africans, they simply changed the gods to God, they still live on earth, and they still have to appease him with rituals and wonders. They have to speak in tongues to have standing with God. Many do not know the God of the Scriptures.
People, this is not Christianity. This is your generic pagan religion that the Greeks and Romans used. Any place where you have to go through a mediator to get to Christ does not teach Christianity, no matter how Christian the names or good the deeds. Christ is the mediator and the only one that God accepts. And he performed all the rituals necessary for us to know God. If we do good things, it is because of him, not to get to him. If we had to rely on penance and alms and tongue-speaking and feeding the poor, we could never be assured of our standing with God. Thankfully, the Bible teaches something completely different, the grace of Christ, our only mediator to God who is God, and Christ's works that give us holiness.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Jumping to Conclusions: 2nd Century
Justin Martyr finished telling his audience that the Christians most certainly are not atheists. They just believe in one God and he's not their gods.
He moves on to say that the pagans assume that the Christians look for a human kingdom. They have no concept of a world beyond this one. Christians long for the kingdom that is with God. If their kingdom was for this world, then they would deny Christ to keep from being slain. That is not the case. They gladly suffer death to see the glorious kingdom.
"What sober-minded man, then, will not acknowledge that we are not atheists, worshiping, as we do the Maker of the universe, and declaring, as we have been taught that He has no need of streams of blood and libations and incense...We reasonably worship him."
The pagans may make human sacrifices and have wild parties, but the Christians do not mutilate themselves, get drunk, and they control their urges. While the pagans love only their neighbors and friends, the Christians pray for their enemies and love them.
Justin makes many contrasts using the Sermon on the Mount. I suppose the rest of the world would think that alien since they do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them.
He moves on to say that the pagans assume that the Christians look for a human kingdom. They have no concept of a world beyond this one. Christians long for the kingdom that is with God. If their kingdom was for this world, then they would deny Christ to keep from being slain. That is not the case. They gladly suffer death to see the glorious kingdom.
"What sober-minded man, then, will not acknowledge that we are not atheists, worshiping, as we do the Maker of the universe, and declaring, as we have been taught that He has no need of streams of blood and libations and incense...We reasonably worship him."
The pagans may make human sacrifices and have wild parties, but the Christians do not mutilate themselves, get drunk, and they control their urges. While the pagans love only their neighbors and friends, the Christians pray for their enemies and love them.
Justin makes many contrasts using the Sermon on the Mount. I suppose the rest of the world would think that alien since they do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Journeys with Justin
I'm moving to the 2nd century AD and beginning to read Justin Martyr. He lived from around 114 to 165. He was raised as a Gentile in Samaria on the teachings of Plato and Socrates. When he became a Christian, he discovered that "what Plato was feeling after, he found in Jesus of Nazareth." He began a new era in gospel history, an era where Christian apologetics are mixed in with secular philosophy. R.C. Sproul is a man today who ties in philosophy with Christian teachings. It brings a new perspective on things.
Scholars all agree that Justin wrote his two apologies and the Dialogue with Trypho. They debate on whether he wrote his Address to the Greeks, his Hortatory Address to the Greeks, On the Sole Government of God, Epistle to Diognetus, Fragments from a treatise on the Resurrection, and other fragments. They are all certain that he did not write Exposition of the True Faith, Replies to the Orthodox Christian Questions to Gentiles, Gentiles Questions to Christians, epistles to Zenas and Serenus, and a Refutation of certain doctrines of Aristotle.
Philip Schaff begins his Justin anthology with his first Apology. Clearly the Roman government accuses the Christians of the Holy Land of all the problems in Rome. Justin demands that they investigate before they jump to conclusions.
It is amazing how the word "atheist" meant a different thing in the 2nd century and even in the time of Socrates. The Greeks and Romans had a god or goddess for every aspect of life, even aspects within the aspects of life. These gods would allow them to engage in revelry and encourage the violation of women and children. Socrates denied that these gods were actually gods. Since he denounced belief in these gods, the Greeks labelled him an "atheist" and made him drink poison.
Christians refuse to even genuflect toward any Roman god or emperor. They won't even pinch some incense out of respect. They only worship and give homage to Jesus Christ. According to the Romans, this must mean that they are atheists. If they were right, I wish all professing Christians would be atheists except for worshiping the one true God who revealed himself to the world in Jesus and still lives with us in the Holy Spirit.
Christians are atheists in regard to the gods but not for the most true God. They bow down and worship the Triune God only and consider all the other idols to be soulless and dead.
Justin has the same theory about the origin of the Greek gods that Mark Driscoll has. Somebody appeared the the people as Zeus or Apollo, but they were actually demons. My theory is that these were real people who ruled and who were very arrogant and insisted that they were gods and convinced the people that when they died they still ruled. The Egyptian rulers did that. The Caesars did that.
Just the same, they appeared to people in secret in remote corners of the world. The true God revealed himself publicly. "He does not need the material offerings which men can give...He is the provider of all things."
Scholars all agree that Justin wrote his two apologies and the Dialogue with Trypho. They debate on whether he wrote his Address to the Greeks, his Hortatory Address to the Greeks, On the Sole Government of God, Epistle to Diognetus, Fragments from a treatise on the Resurrection, and other fragments. They are all certain that he did not write Exposition of the True Faith, Replies to the Orthodox Christian Questions to Gentiles, Gentiles Questions to Christians, epistles to Zenas and Serenus, and a Refutation of certain doctrines of Aristotle.
Philip Schaff begins his Justin anthology with his first Apology. Clearly the Roman government accuses the Christians of the Holy Land of all the problems in Rome. Justin demands that they investigate before they jump to conclusions.
It is amazing how the word "atheist" meant a different thing in the 2nd century and even in the time of Socrates. The Greeks and Romans had a god or goddess for every aspect of life, even aspects within the aspects of life. These gods would allow them to engage in revelry and encourage the violation of women and children. Socrates denied that these gods were actually gods. Since he denounced belief in these gods, the Greeks labelled him an "atheist" and made him drink poison.
Christians refuse to even genuflect toward any Roman god or emperor. They won't even pinch some incense out of respect. They only worship and give homage to Jesus Christ. According to the Romans, this must mean that they are atheists. If they were right, I wish all professing Christians would be atheists except for worshiping the one true God who revealed himself to the world in Jesus and still lives with us in the Holy Spirit.
Christians are atheists in regard to the gods but not for the most true God. They bow down and worship the Triune God only and consider all the other idols to be soulless and dead.
Justin has the same theory about the origin of the Greek gods that Mark Driscoll has. Somebody appeared the the people as Zeus or Apollo, but they were actually demons. My theory is that these were real people who ruled and who were very arrogant and insisted that they were gods and convinced the people that when they died they still ruled. The Egyptian rulers did that. The Caesars did that.
Just the same, they appeared to people in secret in remote corners of the world. The true God revealed himself publicly. "He does not need the material offerings which men can give...He is the provider of all things."
Monday, July 15, 2013
Fragment Wisdom and Stillborns
I will briefly mention the fragments of Papias found in the ancient Christian era. Very little is left of his writing, and the few fragments make little sense. The first one is really good: "I did not take pleasure in those who spoke much, but in those who taught the truth; nor in those who related strange commandments, but in those who rehearsed the commandments given by the Lord to faith."
Even today, people say sound-bytes and one-liners of wisdom that seem sweet and memorable. They speak much, but do they really live the truth? Do the words provide a band-aid to life or do they actually help?
So, I will transition from Papias and the things he almost said, to people today and what they should not say when an infant dies. Or a child, or a miscarriage happens, or a baby is stillborn. My heart aches for people I know who just had a stillborn pregnancy, and well-meaning people will say all kinds of things. Just like the Papias fragments, they can be good, they seem pretty harmless, but it might not be getting all the information right. Again, I present fragments to not say when a young person dies.
"God needed him more than we did." No, God needs nothing. If I am on earth, it is because it gives God glory. If someone I love is in heaven, it still gives God glory. God needs nothing and and we need him to survive. Heaven is more life than what we see on earth. I hate that young people are taken from us, but it is not because God decided that he'd rather have that person now and would like to deprive us. He just sees the big picture that we don't see and will work all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
"God is teaching us a lesson." No, God is not a crooked teacher. He does not cause tragedy to teach lessons. He is not some abuser. He orchestrates all of life according to his glory. Granted, we do learn from tragedies, but we also live in a fallen world. We don't need any lessons.
"There's one more angel in heaven." No, your child is precious, but he or she is not an angel now. You would not want him to be one. Angels are beings that serve God as utilities and just happen to be alive, too. Humans are created in God's image. Angels will never know forgiveness and mercy. God does not stop lavishing his grace and mercy on his undeserving humans. Your child is not an angel, but what he or she is, you will like a lot better.
"What if the child turned out like the severely disabled boy next door?" Um, I know all kinds of people. They have cerebral palsy, Down's Syndrome, developmental problems, and some people will not be able to function independently in this life. So, what if your child turns out like them? Could anybody tell me what's wrong with those things? Are my problems any better? Are you any better off? People with severe disabilities are a blessing and teach their caregivers that there is a world outside themselves. Definitely mourn the loss of your child, but do not be afraid of him developing some disability. All problems are different and all work together for God's glory.
I can't think of any more right now, but I would love to hear other things people should not say in tragedies.
Even today, people say sound-bytes and one-liners of wisdom that seem sweet and memorable. They speak much, but do they really live the truth? Do the words provide a band-aid to life or do they actually help?
So, I will transition from Papias and the things he almost said, to people today and what they should not say when an infant dies. Or a child, or a miscarriage happens, or a baby is stillborn. My heart aches for people I know who just had a stillborn pregnancy, and well-meaning people will say all kinds of things. Just like the Papias fragments, they can be good, they seem pretty harmless, but it might not be getting all the information right. Again, I present fragments to not say when a young person dies.
"God needed him more than we did." No, God needs nothing. If I am on earth, it is because it gives God glory. If someone I love is in heaven, it still gives God glory. God needs nothing and and we need him to survive. Heaven is more life than what we see on earth. I hate that young people are taken from us, but it is not because God decided that he'd rather have that person now and would like to deprive us. He just sees the big picture that we don't see and will work all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
"God is teaching us a lesson." No, God is not a crooked teacher. He does not cause tragedy to teach lessons. He is not some abuser. He orchestrates all of life according to his glory. Granted, we do learn from tragedies, but we also live in a fallen world. We don't need any lessons.
"There's one more angel in heaven." No, your child is precious, but he or she is not an angel now. You would not want him to be one. Angels are beings that serve God as utilities and just happen to be alive, too. Humans are created in God's image. Angels will never know forgiveness and mercy. God does not stop lavishing his grace and mercy on his undeserving humans. Your child is not an angel, but what he or she is, you will like a lot better.
"What if the child turned out like the severely disabled boy next door?" Um, I know all kinds of people. They have cerebral palsy, Down's Syndrome, developmental problems, and some people will not be able to function independently in this life. So, what if your child turns out like them? Could anybody tell me what's wrong with those things? Are my problems any better? Are you any better off? People with severe disabilities are a blessing and teach their caregivers that there is a world outside themselves. Definitely mourn the loss of your child, but do not be afraid of him developing some disability. All problems are different and all work together for God's glory.
I can't think of any more right now, but I would love to hear other things people should not say in tragedies.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
14th Century Mystics
"The mystical movement, the classical form of Roman Catholic piety, developed as a reaction against formal and mechanical sacerdotal ritual and the dry Scholasticism in the church of the day." (Cairns, 250)
At this point, church was no longer for everyone, but it was acted out by clergy and spectated by lay people. They got the mass, but they got no Word of God outside of Latin and no Word of God during the week. People were starving for interaction with Christ. Mystical movements resulted from this famine.
In 1348 and 1349, the bubonic plague caused the Black Death that killed many people in illness. Peasants also revolted in 1381 following the teachings of John Wycliffe. Also, the two or three popes ruling made consistency impossible for the holy lands. These people needed spiritual leadership and interaction with God.
There were Latin mystics and Teutonic mystics. Latins had a more emotional outlook on life. They emphasized emotional experiences of Christ. These were the charismatics. I would not necessarily agree with them as I believe signs and wonders have stopped, but I would still accept them as brethren. Bernard of Clairvaux was a Latin mystic, Augustinian monk, and influence on the reformers. Catherine of Siena was also of this ilk. She was the one that urged Gregory 11 to move back to Rome.
The Teutonic mystics took a more philosophical approach to life. These were the emergents who might have had cool ideas but flirted with heresy. Meister Eckhart was of this group and envisioned a kind of worship where people tried to reach unity with the Godhead. This is gnosticism, and it is never new. It leads to pantheism, and the Church condemned Echkart's teachings after he died.
Condemned or not, a group of Dominicans formed the Friends of God to carry on Eckhart's tradition. They wrote Theologia Germanica, and emphasized the inward experience of God more than the outward motions of worship. Unlike Eckhart, this was truly Christian. It struggled with monophysitism in not just Christ but as the goal of believers; they were to fuse their souls with the divine. Just the same, the Friends of God and their teachings soothed Martin Luther as he struggled with his salvation. This movement also produced Thomas a Kempis, another man that reformed people love. He is credited with writing Imitation of Christ. He gave a more practical approach to the Friends of God. I might have to read some of this theology myself to see what is not right and what true Christians can believe.
Mystics can be solid Christians, but their emphasis on the inner soul can be dangerous, especially if a person looks inward and does not have the Holy Spirit, aka, is not saved. It was a good alternative to the play acting in the churches where people were not learning or experiencing Jesus properly. They read the Scriptures more and reached out to communities. The ideal would be for them to gather as a church on Sunday, read the Bible in vernacular language, and help people understand and interact.
At this point, church was no longer for everyone, but it was acted out by clergy and spectated by lay people. They got the mass, but they got no Word of God outside of Latin and no Word of God during the week. People were starving for interaction with Christ. Mystical movements resulted from this famine.
In 1348 and 1349, the bubonic plague caused the Black Death that killed many people in illness. Peasants also revolted in 1381 following the teachings of John Wycliffe. Also, the two or three popes ruling made consistency impossible for the holy lands. These people needed spiritual leadership and interaction with God.
There were Latin mystics and Teutonic mystics. Latins had a more emotional outlook on life. They emphasized emotional experiences of Christ. These were the charismatics. I would not necessarily agree with them as I believe signs and wonders have stopped, but I would still accept them as brethren. Bernard of Clairvaux was a Latin mystic, Augustinian monk, and influence on the reformers. Catherine of Siena was also of this ilk. She was the one that urged Gregory 11 to move back to Rome.
The Teutonic mystics took a more philosophical approach to life. These were the emergents who might have had cool ideas but flirted with heresy. Meister Eckhart was of this group and envisioned a kind of worship where people tried to reach unity with the Godhead. This is gnosticism, and it is never new. It leads to pantheism, and the Church condemned Echkart's teachings after he died.
Condemned or not, a group of Dominicans formed the Friends of God to carry on Eckhart's tradition. They wrote Theologia Germanica, and emphasized the inward experience of God more than the outward motions of worship. Unlike Eckhart, this was truly Christian. It struggled with monophysitism in not just Christ but as the goal of believers; they were to fuse their souls with the divine. Just the same, the Friends of God and their teachings soothed Martin Luther as he struggled with his salvation. This movement also produced Thomas a Kempis, another man that reformed people love. He is credited with writing Imitation of Christ. He gave a more practical approach to the Friends of God. I might have to read some of this theology myself to see what is not right and what true Christians can believe.
Mystics can be solid Christians, but their emphasis on the inner soul can be dangerous, especially if a person looks inward and does not have the Holy Spirit, aka, is not saved. It was a good alternative to the play acting in the churches where people were not learning or experiencing Jesus properly. They read the Scriptures more and reached out to communities. The ideal would be for them to gather as a church on Sunday, read the Bible in vernacular language, and help people understand and interact.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Playing Opposites with "Barnabas"
The second part of Pseudo-Barnabas's epistle contrasts the way of darkness and the way of light. The only problem is that the way of light has too many "thou shalt not"s, and the way of darkness states its attributes positively. I will start this blog by listing negative aspects of each attribute of darkness and then state positively the commands of the way of light.
The Way of Darkness
They are lost and have no direct route. They have no blessings, no break from guilt, are not satisfied with Christ alone, not ever satisfied with life, cannot stand other leadership, are unintelligible, unreal, cannot faithfully decide to follow just one master, impure, they hate life and under-value people, they are disrespectful and intrusive, not kind or gentle, never clear from trouble, untruthful, do not desire for others to succeed, rely on no one, are unhealthy, they must plot and manipulate instead of trust God for his direction and timing, they don't share, they do not fear God, they take away legal protection from the good people, they continue lying, they hate truth and can't handle the truth, their lives are unfulfilled, unlike the righteous who are whole, they have bad tempers, are unaware of a world outside themselves, only work with ulterior motives and strings attached, ignore people's needs, increase burdens on workers, are always complaining, have no ground in life as they completely ignore the Creator, hate that children are alive, destroy nature, deprive good from people who want, only increase suffering and affliction, and they only care for the rich, unjust, and completely depraved.
The Way of Light
The people who live in the light are allowed to love God who created them and gives them meaning. They can glorify him that redeemed them from death. They are simple in heart and rich in Spirit. They join with people who promote life. They love what pleases God and live sincerity. They remember and follow God's commands, not as a chore but as a pleasure, they do not compare themselves to others and always exalt God. If they accomplish something, the credit goes to God. They defend their neighbors against gossip. They can be bold but humble. They have good sex lives because they only do it with people they are married to. Single people are chaste and have no emotional attachments to people who just use them. They teach young people to look beyond this present world and to avidly ponder what is clean and happy. They use God's Word in reverence and honor. If they have to rebuke someone, then they still love but wait for repentance before accepting them. They have good boundaries. They are meek and peaceable. They tremble at the words they hear. Even in frustration, they remember the good things about their brothers and sisters. They believe that something will be. They speak God's name with love, fear, and trembling. The love their neighbors as much as their own souls. They let their children be born, live, and give them high standards. From infancy, they teach children the fear of the Lord. They are there more often than not. They are happy for what their neighbors have and give generously. They are reckoned with the righteous and lowly while ignoring the boastful guilt-trippers. When trials come, they accept it as a good opportunity or adventure. They decide between two things and speak with only one meaning. They are subject to the Lord, obey the masters he set over them, and honor their servants remembering that God is the master of all of them. They are honest with their neighbors and lead them to holy activities. They think before they speak. They are pure in soul. They give without expecting a reward. They highly value those who rightly speak God's word. They remember the coming day of judgment. They constantly seek other Christians and work for life and salvation. They give cheerfully and readily. They preserve what is given to their care. They despise Satan. They judge righteously, make peace between all who fight within the Church, confess their sins, and make things right with God before entering public worship.
The Way of Darkness
They are lost and have no direct route. They have no blessings, no break from guilt, are not satisfied with Christ alone, not ever satisfied with life, cannot stand other leadership, are unintelligible, unreal, cannot faithfully decide to follow just one master, impure, they hate life and under-value people, they are disrespectful and intrusive, not kind or gentle, never clear from trouble, untruthful, do not desire for others to succeed, rely on no one, are unhealthy, they must plot and manipulate instead of trust God for his direction and timing, they don't share, they do not fear God, they take away legal protection from the good people, they continue lying, they hate truth and can't handle the truth, their lives are unfulfilled, unlike the righteous who are whole, they have bad tempers, are unaware of a world outside themselves, only work with ulterior motives and strings attached, ignore people's needs, increase burdens on workers, are always complaining, have no ground in life as they completely ignore the Creator, hate that children are alive, destroy nature, deprive good from people who want, only increase suffering and affliction, and they only care for the rich, unjust, and completely depraved.
The Way of Light
The people who live in the light are allowed to love God who created them and gives them meaning. They can glorify him that redeemed them from death. They are simple in heart and rich in Spirit. They join with people who promote life. They love what pleases God and live sincerity. They remember and follow God's commands, not as a chore but as a pleasure, they do not compare themselves to others and always exalt God. If they accomplish something, the credit goes to God. They defend their neighbors against gossip. They can be bold but humble. They have good sex lives because they only do it with people they are married to. Single people are chaste and have no emotional attachments to people who just use them. They teach young people to look beyond this present world and to avidly ponder what is clean and happy. They use God's Word in reverence and honor. If they have to rebuke someone, then they still love but wait for repentance before accepting them. They have good boundaries. They are meek and peaceable. They tremble at the words they hear. Even in frustration, they remember the good things about their brothers and sisters. They believe that something will be. They speak God's name with love, fear, and trembling. The love their neighbors as much as their own souls. They let their children be born, live, and give them high standards. From infancy, they teach children the fear of the Lord. They are there more often than not. They are happy for what their neighbors have and give generously. They are reckoned with the righteous and lowly while ignoring the boastful guilt-trippers. When trials come, they accept it as a good opportunity or adventure. They decide between two things and speak with only one meaning. They are subject to the Lord, obey the masters he set over them, and honor their servants remembering that God is the master of all of them. They are honest with their neighbors and lead them to holy activities. They think before they speak. They are pure in soul. They give without expecting a reward. They highly value those who rightly speak God's word. They remember the coming day of judgment. They constantly seek other Christians and work for life and salvation. They give cheerfully and readily. They preserve what is given to their care. They despise Satan. They judge righteously, make peace between all who fight within the Church, confess their sins, and make things right with God before entering public worship.
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