tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149615597022219149.post3156462027552905113..comments2023-07-28T08:53:51.928-07:00Comments on A CHRISTIAN VIEW: Steve Finnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12863026367048527526noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149615597022219149.post-39032930793353179372017-01-02T05:09:19.339-08:002017-01-02T05:09:19.339-08:00Dear Steve,
I hope you don't mind me posting t...Dear Steve,<br />I hope you don't mind me posting this comment on to your messaging board, but may I offer an alternative interpretation to your quote of Matthew 7:21-23, no doubt, a cause of debate over many decades?<br />Those standing outside defended themselves by using three issues to justify themselves. They are:<br />1. They prophesied in Jesus name.<br />2. They cast out demons in Jesus name.<br />3. In his name done many wonderful works.<br /><br />Our issue lies with #2. Jesus says to them that he NEVER knew them. This makes a big difference on their judgement. Either you know someone, or you once knew someone, or he is a complete stranger, never having known him. If you fall out with someone you knew for a while (eg a work colleague or fellow church member) then to tell him you never knew him would amount to a lie, because you did know him, and you still do.<br />Those standing there were shocked to the core over their refusal of entry. Any psychologist would tell you that one instant reaction to panic is to exaggerate, and it's most likely that is what they were doing, and Jesus knew this. This goes to show how realistic and down-to-earth the Bible really is in its application to day-to-day living.<br />Then there is evidence elsewhere in Scripture that demons do "play ball" with the unbeliever to heighten his deception. The case of the seven sons of Sceva, for example, were successful in driving out demons (Acts 19:13-16) until a particular strong one refused to go along with the flow, thus exposing their phoniness. Indeed, Satan may not drive out Satan to his own detriment, but he and his cohorts will go for anything to promote deception to build on his kingdom and to protect it. The sons of Sceva were proof that none of them had the Holy Spirit within, or else that strong one wouldn't have gone for them in the way he did.<br />The final matter is to do with the whole story. Why were they refused admission in the first place? Their own pleading to justify themselves is the reason why. They had trusted in themselves like those seven sons did, and held on to the false hope that they can justify themselves and work their own way into Heaven. It is the road to destruction already walked upon by a great many.<br />The truth is, God will give eternal life to everyone who trusts Jesus to save them, without any works or merit. If fact, it is totally impossible to merit anything from God, for the simple reason that we are tainted with sin both before and after receiving salvation.<br />In Jesus' Name, yours,<br />Frank E. BlasiFrank E. Blasihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12218732913319387677noreply@blogger.com