Friends–Read the entire chapter of Collosians 3 paying close attention to every word. In verse 11, there are seven groups listed which CHRIST IS ALL, AND IN ALL. But pay close attention to ONE group…..”Scythian” and remember that Christ is ALL and in ALL. Paul has already given a broad list that Christ is in, but this group (Scythian), let’s take a closer look. In the Phillips Bible scythian is translated “savage”. In Taylor Bible it states -“In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is UNIMPORTANT. Such things mean nothing.” In Peloubet’s Bible Dictionary..Scythian is a generalized term for rude, ignorant, and degraded. The name often included all the nomadic tribes, who dwelt mostly north of the Black and Caspian Sea, stretching thence indefinitely into inner Asia and they were regarded by the ancients as standing extremely low in point of intelligence and civilization. Webster’s New World Dictionary states..Scyth-i-a (sith’e-a) ancient region in SE Europe, centered about the north coast of the Black Sea.. Syth-i-a of ancient Scythia, its people, their language, etc. 1. any of a nomadic tribe and war like people who lived in ancient Scythia. 2. their extinct IRANIAN language. So think about it…Paul wrote, that “Christ is in the Greeks (wisdom), the Jews (religion), and on down to this broad category of people; even the uncultured and those in jail (all of this broad range of humanity). Yes, “CHRIST (the One whom is in ALL) is in the lowest level of society. Verse 16 states, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you ‘richly’ in all wisdom.” etc., etc., etc. LORD HELP US TO INCLUDE ALL AS YOU HAVE. May we make this clear to ALL…EXPLICITLY CLEAR!
Archive for November, 2007
That is what organizations and people count on when they advertise their products, isn’t it? God advertises what will impart life and hope. The spirit of antichrist advertises what fosters death and despair. Meet CHARLES SLAGLE who is located in the Dallas metroplex. He and his wife Paula are excellent worship leaders with a prophetic-edge. His writing “Absolute Assurance” has revealed the unconditional love of the Father to many. For more of his writings, go to www.siglar.org/slagle/absolute.htm. Charles states, “All advertisements pack subliminal messages designed to unconsciously affect those who receive them.” So let’s look at the subliminal messages of–
ARMINIANISM’S ADVERTISEMENT: You shall love the Lord with the unconditional commitment of all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength–while also remembering–that His commitment to you is conditional on your performance in this lifetime. The subliminal message, therefore, is that you must love God more (with greater commitment) than He loves you.
CALVINISM’S ADVERTISEMENT: You shall love your neighbor (both friend and foe) as yourself–while also remembering–that Unfailing *Holy* Love has “foreordained” from eternity past to consign most of His little neighbors to never-ending fiery torture. The subliminal message, therefore, is that you are to love your neighbors more than God (your Heavenly Father and Role Model) loves them.
UNIVERSALISM’S ADVERTISEMENT: You shall love the Lord with your total being and your neighbor as yourself–while also remembering–that this is not merely a command; it is also a promise. He is committed to love ALL His little neighbors as Himself, so your Heavenly Father and Role Model will hang in there with them until all of them loves as He loves and are holy and happy. The subliminal message, therefore, is that sin MUST perish, so it is futile to continue therein, and that Love Himself NEVER fails, so we can always count on Him even when we cannot count on ourselves.
Which of the above subliminal messages do you think provides the most motivation to turn from sin and to love God and others wholeheartedly? Which one glorifies God more? Which one promotes greater faith and trust in God?