In the Old Testament the manifestation of God’s presence was in the midst of the nation of Israel. Today the Church has become the manifestation of the presence of Christ in the world.
The indwelling of God’s presence in both believers individually and corporately makes holiness an absolute requirement. God expects believers and the Church to be transparent and sincere in all matters. Lying to give the appearance of godliness is a serious offense before God. Lying to the Church is in effect lying to the Holy Spirit who indwells the Church. Even when Satan tempts and incites people to sin, personal responsibility is not excused for behavior and choices made.
God’s requirements for His people and the serious consequences of sin go unchanged. That being the case, great care and discernment must be applied in all situations to make no allowances for ungodly practices or adjustments to the worldly ways, in neither individual lives nor the corporate life of the Church.
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God hates liars! God willing, I will read the entire 1977 NASB this year! I hit a bump on the road When I got to Mark 10:30. No study bible really wanted to handle it - -at least not the ones I have.Thankfully, I have some golden oldie commentaries such as those by Matthew Henry, besides Barnes and Clarke that do! ☛
¶Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
¶Mark 10:23-31
Christ took this occasion to speak to his disciples about the difficulty of the salvation of those who have abundance of this world. Those who thus eagerly seek the wealth of the world, will never rightly prize Christ and his grace. Also, as to the greatness of the salvation of those who have but little of this world, and leave it for Christ. The greatest trial of a good man's constancy is, when love to Jesus calls him to give up love to friends and relatives. Even when gainers by Christ, let them still expect to suffer for him, till they reach heaven. Let us learn contentment in a low state, and to watch against the love of riches in a high one. Let us pray to be enabled to part with all, if required, in Christ's service, and to use all we are allowed to keep in his service.
¶The rich young ruler, reminded me of Ananias and Sapphira except for one fatal flaw of theirs--brazen lying!!
Jim Lincoln (12/9/2014)
from Nebraska
Excellent Sermon and Summary! An unofficial expansion to the summary, par.,
1 Corinthians 3
16 Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are. par. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, "I Corinthians 3:16:
16,17 From other parts of the epistle, it appears that the false teachers among the Corinthians taught unholy doctrines. Such teaching tended to corrupt, to pollute, and destroy the building, which should be kept pure and holy for God. Those who spread loose principles, which render the church of God unholy, bring destruction upon themselves. Christ by his Spirit dwells in all true believers. Christians are holy by profession, and should be pure and clean, both in heart and conversation. He is deceived who deems himself the temple of the Holy Ghost, yet is unconcerned about personal holiness, or the peace and purity of the church." Par. Acts 2 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. Par. These verses were elaborated on and it was pointed out a communistic system wasn't being established!
In the fall of 1969, Gil began a full-time teaching ministry as Senior Pastor of Indian Hills Community Church. He also earned his Ph.D. from the California Graduate School of Theology. The focus of Pastor Rugh’s ministry is systematic, verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible. As a...