CONTEXTUAL RESOLUTION

CONTEXTUAL RESOLUTION

1Peter 5:6-11 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Apostasy, from the Greek word apostasia, means “a defiance of an established system or authority; a rebellion; an abandonment or breach of faith.” GotQuestions.org

  Can I often enough encourage reading contextually? No. 

  Once again some are upset by what they’ve non-contextually read in God’s Word. Frightened really. Hebrews 10:26-27 being the case in point. “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.”

  First, considering the full text, Genesis to Revelation, we see that beginning with Adam sin is a matter of free will. Without our agreeable consent Satan or no other can make us sin. (Rom.3:23; 1Jn.1:8,10) And as since the beginning all parties are individually responsible. Thankfully there is God’s gracious provision in response to our submissive candid confession. (1Jn.1:9)

  Secondly, there is a vast difference between acts of sin and the willful sin of Hebrews 10. Satan being the prime example of this willful sin as opposed to limited to acts of sin. (Gen.3:1-14 “Did God actually say …”; Isa.14:12-14; Ez.28:12-18) Romans chapter 1 illustrates man’s willful sin in rejecting God as did Satan. (The main point there is not their homosexuality, it’s apostasy.)

  Consider Hebrews 10:29 detailing this willful sin:

a.       Trodding under foot the Son of God. (Mt.12:24; Mk.3:22; Lk.11:15)

b.      Counting the blood of the covenant, wherewith Jesus was and His followers are sanctified, an unholy thing. (Mt.26:28)

c.       Despiteful unto the Spirit of grace; insult via rejection of the Spirit of grace, His undeserved favor and blessedness.

  Hopefully those of you living fearfully after reading “For if we sin willfully …” will invest time in looking up and prayerfully pondering all of the above verses . . . and read and consider them in context.

EBB4   Wednesday, May 23, 2018