Contextually , in the midst of that , the Apostle Paul ishe learned to get by with a little and he learned to get by with a lot when it comes to his daily sustenance . I can do all things through Christ , who strengthens me , but what we do is we misapply that to be anything right . I mean , just name it , name it and it's gonna fall into place .
Speaker 2Yeah and boy . This is so key when it comes to hermeneutics right Proper interpretation of Scripture .
Speaker 3Let me read the context of that I was about to say yeah please .
Speaker 2So Philippians 4 , 10 to 13, .
Speaker 2But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now , at last , your care for me has flourished again , though you surely did care , but you lacked opportunity . Not that I speak in regard to need , for I have learned , in whatever state I am , to be content . I know how to be abased and I know how to abound Everywhere and on all things . I've learned both to be full and to be hungry , both to abound and to suffer need . I can do all things through Christ , who strengthens me . See that , like you get the context Paul is talking about . No matter what situation he's in , he's suffering , he's abounding , he can , what he can be sustained because of Christ , and he can endure all those sorts of things . Here is one of my favorite quotes Friends , is it cheesy who cares ? Here it is . Friends , is it cheesy who cares ? Here it is . Yesterday is history , tomorrow is a mystery , today is a gift . That's why it's called the present .
Speaker 3Yeah , and speaking of presents , friends today . Today we have many presents . I hope there's a motorcycle in there for me Again .
Speaker 2Okay , we got oh boy , we got good presents One of them I'm not happy about , for Oscar , but that means I'm gonna like it . Ray , mark and Easy and Oscar , I am so very grateful for all the incredible work you do in equipping the saints in the ministry of sharing the gospel . Your ministry has been a true blessing to me and countless others , and I'm so thankful for the ways you faithfully serve and love others in Christ's name . Ever since I became a believer , I wanted to share the gospel , but I just didn't know how or where to begin . By using the simple tools that you created from the Bible , I've helped me tremendously in navigating gospel conversations and pointing the lost to the cross . I'm a longtime listener of the podcast YouTube channel and Ray's Just Witnessing channel .
Speaker 4Oh , a little plug for Ray's channel .
Speaker 2I might change the name on there AZ Ray's Witnessing to College Students .
Speaker 2No we're staying with it . I think , oh , are we Okay ? Ray's Witnessing to College Students has provoked me to do the same . I oh , are we Okay ? Raise witnessing to college students has provoked me to do the same . I , too , walk the campus of a local college that's minutes from my house . I take along my fellow laborers in the faith , my kids and my amazing wife to pass out gospel tracts , gifts and sharing our faith to all those who will stop and have a conversation . To help find these outreach activities , I have started roasting and selling my own coffee .
Speaker 2It's a little side hustle but it keeps me accountable in doing what I'm supposed to do and by reaching the lost by all means . Matthew 28 , 18 to 20 . Mm-hmm .
Speaker 3A true listener .
Speaker 4Oh that's funny , true listener , yeah .
Speaker 2Truly truly . This has been a blessing to my soul . There is no other experience or satisfaction in this life than working for and serving our Lord . May God continue to bless you all abundantly and may his hand be upon all of your future endeavors as you serve his kingdom . Love you guys . Alex and that's how it says , alex and the gifts . Mark , I heard it said many times that you like socks , and how deep and great your love for your wife Laura . May these socks bring you even closer hand in hand .
Speaker 1Mark Hand socks . You have socks , socks , socks , socks , socks .
Speaker 4How could anyone like socks ? That's a weird thing .
Speaker 2Oscar Coffee mug . Of course enjoy from coffee side biz a coffee side hustle . I guess this must mean this is yours too .
Speaker 4Coffee beans is there a poppy in there for me ?
Speaker 2Ray , you keep asking that someone send you a Lamborghini . Well , here you go . You weren't specific about what kind ? Wait , look , send you a Lamborghini . Well , here you go . You weren't specific about what kind ?
Speaker 3Wait ? Look at his socks . Look at Mark's socks , lamborghini .
Speaker 4Ooh , thank you , it's just a toy one , just in case . What are those , mark ?
Speaker 2Is that ET ? What in the world is that no ?
Speaker 1it's that lamb .
Speaker 4Remember that lady used to have a little lamb .
Speaker 3Oh , the little lamb lady For your imaginative eyes .
Speaker 2Mark's socks have two googly eyeballs and hands are ears attached to them . Those are the weirdest socks I've ever seen .
Speaker 4No question about it . Lamb chops was the name of the little puppets Easy Clean .
Speaker 2Ocd freak needs a desk vacuum .
Speaker 3Check no way A desk vacuum , a desk vacuum A desk vacuum . What that's wild .
Speaker 4That is too cool . Open it up and put it in your mouth .
Speaker 3See what happens .
Speaker 2Wow . Thank you , Alex .
Speaker 3Dude . Thank you so much , Alex .
Speaker 4Very thoughtful guessing .
Speaker 3All right friends , but it doesn't end there .
Speaker 2There's
more , more , more . Okay , this is a big one here .
Speaker 1All right , these guys now it's , it's , ray's fault that we've had these since christmas . Christmas , what is it we're like ?
Speaker 2how we missed them .
Speaker 1But here , let's do it united opening so why is it raised full ?
Speaker 4wow , I don't know . It just felt good to say that all right , there you go .
Speaker 2Hooray Max Spence . Wow , man , these people really wrapped them up nicely . All right and easy . Okay , dang , this is wild , isn't that cool . All right , let's start with the cards . I'll start with mine , because I'm humble . Let's start with the cards . Okay , oh , I opened them for you guys already , by the way .
Speaker 2Just to make sure yeah just so you don't have to open them online . All right , easy . I've always pronounced it Augustine . Yeah , whether I'm right or wrong , I do not have to say I have always pronounced it that way , although I am wrong a lot . Cursive is an art and I also love tabbouleh . Yeah , you should try it on a wheat thin with a white cheddar cheese curd on top . Thank me later . Ooh , that's almost blasphemy in the tabbouleh realm . I know the coffee is whole beans , so if you don't have a coffee grinder , I assume you might not consider your judgment of black coffee Come out of a Keurig . I'm sure Oscar would be happy to help , maybe . I love the insanity you bring to the podcast . I'm one of 10 kids , so listening to you all pick on each other feels like home . Thank you for all you do . Merry Christmas , giannina Harvey .
Speaker 1G-I-A-N-I-N-A Harvey .
Speaker 2Is that Ray Comfort ? I hear opening that no .
Speaker 1It's Christmas .
Speaker 2On to the tie ball . All right , let's see what I got .
Speaker 3Our sound guy is really enjoying this moment , by the way .
Speaker 2This is fun , huh guys . What did we get here ? Let me see Ooh , coffee , ooh , that smells good . You jealous Oscar , not yet .
Speaker 4So , gianni , I can't pronounce it . You pronounce it for me , giannina . I think she sent me a little moose and she says , oh , like the one in Alaska . Yes and she says never approach a moose . I guess she might be from Alaska , but she said she's seen one that's about my size and you could approach her .
Speaker 2A dwarf moose .
Speaker 4What thoughtful gifts .
Speaker 2Oh , look at this Come on .
Speaker 4She's a chicken lady too .
Speaker 2So maybe for Oscar's sake , I'm going to try black coffee this is a really cool mug .
Speaker 1Did you want us to read these cards ? What ?
Speaker 3I got coffee and a little ornament that's a pour-over . That is awesome . Thank you so much . All right , there you have it it .
Speaker 2I think we read my card . That's good , you guys can all read yours , mine's . All that matters , mark , how many socks have you gotten ?
Speaker 1I cannot get enough socks .
Speaker 3I love it .
Speaker 1Unbelievable , it's idolatry .
Speaker 3And I got a Giannina , I read your card Easy . Won't let me read it on air , but thank you so much .
Speaker 1I read mine as well and it's actually very , very beautiful . It's one of the nicest things anybody's ever said actually All right , I'm going to get rid of these boxes .
Speaker 4Easy , just broke his mug no , it didn't break , he's a clean freak and he had to move the boxes out of the studio .
Speaker 2Seriously , that's one of the nicest mugs I've ever gotten .
Speaker 3I'm sure the listeners tuned in today to hear us have a Christmas date .
Speaker 2Yeah , it was fun Belated Christmas . Wait , get rid of all this trash . What are you doing ? All right , friends , let's reign in order once again . Giannina , I think that's how you say it . Forgive us if we mispronounce it . Thank you so much . And I don't know why . Oscar , what is that ? It looks like a bong .
Speaker 1How do you know what that looks like ? I ?
Speaker 3don't know , it's a Christmas ornament .
Speaker 2Dude , that is really nice .
Speaker 3It's a V60 pour-over .
Speaker 2It's a way of making coffee . That is really cool .
Speaker 4So anyway , I think they were left in an office and we were on holiday at Christmas , and then you guys went overseas or someone overseas , time passed and all that good stuff .
Speaker 2So sorry about that . We made it no problem . Terrible , All right friends . Anyway , thank you . Why am I ?
Speaker 1breathing so heavily from opening gift .
Speaker 2You need to go running with us . Seriously , that's when you know you're out of shape . It's bad . Honestly , your hair looks nice , thank you .
Speaker 3I don't like it . You're looking like we remember you here More normal .
Speaker 4It's not out of shape , it's just getting old .
Speaker 3Is that what it is .
Speaker 4When we filmed that exploding thing , I was running through that field with Kirk when all the explosions oh yeah . I ran really fast . I just couldn't breathe when I ended , and that's when I realized I was getting old . I was about 60 , I think Can you do that today , ray ? Run fast , yeah , oh yeah .
Speaker 2What about running ?
Speaker 4up an escalator was backwards .
Speaker 2Oh boy , how did we not get that on video ?
Speaker 4That was the closest I've been to death . Yeah .
Speaker 1You know , my family all sign up for a half marathon or we're signing up for a half marathon . You guys want to join us ? Come on .
Speaker 2You know Danny and Tanny , danny and Tanny he's a Danny and Danny , our sons did it .
Speaker 1We're going to do the hard half A routine , point no I seriously want to get back into running .
Speaker 2It's one of my favorite things to do . That's great , oscar , you don't strike me as a runner .
Speaker 3I don't particularly enjoy it , like when I'm done running .
Speaker 1I'm usually upset that I did it , I think he's going to say I feel refreshed .
Speaker 4Yeah , I would prefer working out or playing basketball . I love watching running . I just can't stand it , even as a kid , when in school , remember , I used to hide under a hedge when they ran around the block and I'd pick it up the second time .
Speaker 2You never got caught doing that , right ? No , you're crazy , I was terrible . All right , friends , we already did the cool classic comment , I guess , with the cards . And now a radically revolutionary resource . This podcast is brought to you by why Christianity Solving Life's Most Important Questions . Great booklet , booklet Over one million Ray .
Speaker 4Yes , it's very popular . It's such a simple principle , but it's so eye-opening .
Speaker 2Yeah , this one's good friends to give to someone that you've spent some time with , maybe shared the gospel with . Is that 50 pages ?
Speaker 3It's one of my favorite booklets that we have by far , it's really good , it's really cool .
Speaker 2All right , friends , you almost heard me break a mug . Don't forget the Living Waters mug and that bit of study Bible and Living Waters TV Mug breaker , mug breaker .
Speaker 3Ooh , that's a good name . Sounds like a wrestler's name .
Speaker 2It does mug breaker . Um yeah , living waters tv . It is growing and there's a lot of good content on there . Check it all out at all right , friends , today we're talking about that's not in the bible , examining verses that don't exist . We'll also talk about uh , how can you examine something that don't exist ?
Speaker 3We'll also talk about how can you examine something that doesn't exist Exactly .
Speaker 2See that Oscar , Wisdom , Wisdom Mark .
Speaker 4You're making me think .
Speaker 2Oscar , I'm trying to think what can you examine .
Speaker 4There must be something that doesn't exist that you can examine .
Speaker 2Examining verses that don't exist , that's what we're doing . Lawrence Krauss tells us that everything came from nothing .
Speaker 4No , no , he says nothing created everything . It's a huge difference . Is it Really ? Yes , I mean , we believe everything came from nothing . God created everything from nothing . But , Krauss believes that there was no God and nothing created everything Hummingbirds and flowers and trees .
Speaker 2Where's your buddy Krauss ?
Speaker 4Oh , where's your buddy Krauss ? Oh , I do email him now and then say how are you doing ?
Speaker 3Does he respond yes , oh nice , he says shut up , unsubscribe .
Speaker 4No , he doesn't . He's very nice , but he never , ever wants me to talk about God . He's told me that yeah .
Speaker 2All right , friends . Oh , we're going to talk about verses that don't exist . We'll also talk about Verses that don't exist . People that say verses are verses in the Bible and they don't exist because they're not in the Bible . But we'll also talk about verses that are taken out of context . I mean , almost are not verses , in that they are misapplied , and so , yeah , yeah , all right , thank you .
Speaker 1Thank you for joining us . I would like to join us friends .
Speaker 4I think this is an important subject because , as a new Christian , I remember sitting there . I was about three days old and I had a Bible on my lap . It was a huge Bible . I thought I want to conquer this . I want to be able to say that's not in the Bible . After 50 years I haven't conquered it . There's so many verses I haven't even understand or got to in a sense , like Leviticus and stuff like that . But when someone says God helps them , that help themselves , I want to be able to say that is not in the Bible , because that's the basis of Catholicism . God will help you . After all , you can do Same with Mormons and it's a deception . And so we need to know what's not in the Bible . I mean , for those who don't understand the principle , it's easy to know what's in the Bible . Jesus wept . I know that verse , so you can say that is in the Bible . But to say it's not in the Bible , you need to know the whole of Scripture , right .
Speaker 2Well , I would say this would be at the top of the list when you guys , in terms of verses that people don't know , the word think must be in the word and you hear it quoted here and there from time to time . But let's break some of these down . Obviously , we don't just want to say , okay , that's not in the Bible , but let 's talk about why some of these verses conflict with what is in the Bible .
Speaker 3Right , in terms of what we know Scripture says regarding some of these things , because some of them not only are not in the Bible and are perceived to be Christianese , but some of them are antithetical to what actually is in the Bible . Well , that one is , isn't it ?
Speaker 4God helps them to help themselves . As works righteousness . There is a way that seems right to man . The end of that way is death , and this appeals to self-righteousness of men and women .
Speaker 2Yeah , don't forget the women , right , I'm sorry , women sin too . Yes , yeah , not my wife . Your wife , that's letting you do something that you want to do , oscar . Yeah , she loves me . What are you doing , oscar ? Tell us what you're doing Oscar .
Speaker 3I am going on a snowboarding trip in which Ray's going to love this . No he's not . So we will fly into Washington , then we'll take a four-hour drive into Canada , and then we get in a helicopter for a 45-minute ride to a spot where you can't drive to , and then I will get in a cab which is basically a tank on snow and they will drive us up to the cliffs of these mountains while we were snowboarding down them for four days . You're going to film this .
Speaker 4Yes , oh , please do , that's all that matters .
Speaker 1If you die , we don't care , we just want to get it on camera .
Speaker 3I give you permission to put my death on camera , if it happens .
Speaker 2Thank you , oscar , walked into the studio today with news that Kelly gave her blessing , like he just did drugs .
Speaker 4It's not a good sign . I mean when a wife buys a husband skydiving .
Speaker 1Hey honey , guess what I got you for your birthday we have an extended life insurance plan as well . Sign here , honey , let's go to the Grand .
Speaker 4Canyon . I see what you're doing .
Speaker 3I did walk up to Easy and I go . She said yes .
Speaker 2I haven't seen you this excited in a while , Oscar . So God will not help you if you're trying to help yourself on this one , Oscar .
Speaker 4So what happens if you fall down a crevasse ? What are you going to do ? Crevasse , crevasse , crevasse .
Speaker 3The hopes is I'll have an RF chip on my jacket .
Speaker 4Oh , that's good , so they can find your body , that's great .
Speaker 2Are you serious ?
Speaker 3Like a locator chip . There's a locator , yeah , you have to buy I do already have one a jacket that has a locator chip on it , so that if you get hit by an avalanche they can dig you out as quickly as possible .
Speaker 4Yeah , it's to find the body . It's for the relatives .
Speaker 2I'm getting one under my skin , on my hand and not on my forehead .
Speaker 3Oh , that'll directly communicate to the government .
Speaker 4Yeah , locate me , yeah , oh boy , if you get in a crevasse or get buried by a crevasse buried by an avalanche . You're going to be thinking of me .
Speaker 2I will , I will Seriously , oscar , you're crazy dude , the stuff you do . I'm so excited . No , no , let's go to .
Speaker 4UCLA and you preach open air . I'm down , let's do that . Yeah , I don't mind that . I don't mind that , yeah right , get your heart thumping , yeah right .
Speaker 2Yeah , right , mark , break that down for us . The unbiblical element of God helps those who help themselves .
Speaker 1Yes , psalm 121-2, . My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth , and Romans 5-6, . For while we were still weak at the right time , christ died for the ungodly . God does not help those who help themselves . The fact is , we can't help ourselves . You don't understand how dead you are in your sins and your trespasses . Christianity is this great big journey of realizing that Christianity is nothing like the world , and it is a continual cry out to God for help . It's not a moment by moment . I got this one . I got this one . You know I didn't need you today .
Speaker 1Maybe next week you know this is an easy one Maybe next week you know this is an easy one . Somebody who is self-reliant is not a praying person . You know , I learned that from Ray . I like that , you know , are you ? I remember asking Ray one time are you nervous when you open your preach ? And he
said he goes . Yeah , you know , but a nervous man is a praying man , right ? Otherwise , what is the point and the purpose of having the Lord inside of our lives ? We need Him . We are so reliant upon Him . I've often said that we need Him more than our lungs need oxygen or more than our veins need blood . Moment by moment , day by day is when we need Him . There's nothing we can do . That's why Christ came , because we couldn't help ourselves .
Speaker 2Yeah , you know , there's a prayer I pray when I'm feeling nervous , when I'm about to do something , especially in ministry , and it's this that's the one where you go , ah .
Speaker 2But it says Lord , please remove any unnecessary nervousness . Oh , that's good , and I say that specifically because whatever necessary nervousness I need to have to keep me dependent on him , even though , like in my flesh , I don't want it . But I never want to get to a place where I'm just like yep , here we go , and it's like no dependence on the Lord no crying out to the Lord .
Speaker 4You ever found that you're alone in a pulpit without God's help . Boy , you can feel that it's like a nightmare .
Speaker 3I feel like that happens to me 30 seconds before preaching every time , like I think about all the ways I relied on myself rather than him in my prep work and I'm like , oh Lord , help me , I need you now . Yeah , I think the phrase God helps those who helps themselves . I think the reason why people are gravitating towards that phrase is because they want self-discipline and responsibility , and certainly the modern man lacks discipline and responsibility . But the phrase is fundamentally unbiblical for the reasons that you just said . It was Mark . The gospel teaches us that God helps the helpless , that we cannot save ourselves , that salvation is entirely of grace , in other words , cannot save ourselves . Salvation is entirely of grace , in other words , god doesn't just offer help , he rescues the powerless and his grace will certainly allow us or motivate us to live in a responsible way . I love to explain it like this the gospel is not a life raft out to a drowning man . The gospel is a lung full of air to the man who's already drowned . Wow .
Speaker 2That's so good , yeah , and you know , I think you see man's hubris and folly when he says stuff like God didn't do that for me , I did that for myself . And that's where you really see the height of blindness and ignorance . Right , what can you do with anything in your body that wasn't given to you by God ? I mean , like everything you have was given . Tell me how you created your eyeballs . I want you to give me a detailed description of how you formed your teeth and sculpted your hand .
Speaker 2My mother did that . Who can tell me where I came from ? A little boy would ask . But you know what I'm saying . If God removed his hand from holding all the molecules in the universe together , we would just all fall apart in a heartbeat . And so , yeah , and I hear what you're saying , Oscar , because that often is , I think , what's behind it . It's like , no , you have to work , you can't just sit around and be lazy . But really I think , well , if you dig down deep and you extrapolate , that man is basically saying that , no , we have to earn our way to God , we have to be able to do something to gain God's favor .
Speaker 2And we can't help ourselves . In the ultimate sense , it's got to all be Him .
Speaker 4Self-righteousness is married to pride and mercy is married to humility . You think of the story of the centurion Lord , please go with him , heal his servant because he's worthy . He built us a synagogue and twice in that incident the centurion says to Jesus I'm not worthy and that's what you have to come to , to come to Christ to a point , realizing you're not worthy . You can't help yourself .
Speaker 2What is it ? The door , the low door , ray . You always talk about that . Yeah the low door Ray .
Speaker 3The low door . Ray Ray only enters through the low door . I like to use low doors .
Speaker 4Oh yeah , the door of salvation is very low .
Speaker 3That's one reason why Ray never has to worry about getting robbed at home is because all he has is the doggy door for a front door .
Speaker 4I actually got through that . Do you remember that ? I do , you were there .
Speaker 2The time when Julia was like what Is Ray stuck in the doggy door ? Like this is protocol , it's what we do here .
Speaker 4I got through .
Speaker 2Yeah , you made it , yeah , so yeah , that's so important , so key to remember . And when it comes , like for example , to preaching or evangelism , if I'm gonna err and I have a limited amount of time I would rather err on the side of praying more than prepping more . And again , that's not to say that obviously we shouldn't prep and be diligent , we should be . But , man , I would rather go to a pulpit , I would rather step up on a box , knowing that I've cried out to God that I'm utterly bankrupt and desperately in need of him . You know , and I pray , we live that way . I pray that you know , we wake up in the morning and begin our day with Lord help me right .
Speaker 2You guys know I have that painting in my office . Lord save me , right , Peter drowning . And Lord save me . I'm so stupid , I'm so foolish , I'm so prone to error . Lord , I need you at every turn , you know .
Speaker 4I've heard it said , of preaching inspirational perspiration . Those are your alternatives . Either God's helpful or you're alone .
Speaker 2I say I need unction . What ?
Speaker 3Oscar , I was going to ask the guys in the back Talking about . I say I need unction .
Speaker 4What , Oscar ? I was going to ask the guys in the back . What are you talking about ?
Speaker 3I was going to ask the guys in the back to make sure they send me a clip of you saying I am so stupid .
Speaker 2That's a proverb , right ? We all held back from saying amen . I did . I was actually shocked . I'm like what I'm waiting here for yeah ?
Speaker 1Well , it was just a given . Well , it was just a given . This kind of goes hand in hand with God won't give you more than you can handle . When we've been designed to be overwhelmed , we've been designed within our DNA to be completely over our heads in life , so that we trust in Him , so that we rely upon Him . I remember MacArthur talking about it at the last Shepherds Conference , how he loves being in situations where a parting of the seas is necessary , right , Well ?
Speaker 4I wouldn't say that , eva Pray fine , that's fine .
Speaker 2Sing it Ray . No Ray is what .
Speaker 1But it really is . It's a neat place to be , knowing that you know God is . Listen . We think that it's a dangerous prayer , right , god refiner's fire , and we joke about it .
Speaker 4No , I don't . What do you mean ? Joke about it ? Are you joking ? I'm not .
Speaker 1But listen , if we break it down theologically right , god is not looking saying , oh , you prayed the prayer , oh , now I'm going to squash you , now I'm going to remove your finances , right , it's like no , we have the ability with God to pray whatever we want to pray , to say whatever we want to say , and God is able to decipher and say no , yes , maybe wait . You know that's what God does . You know we don't need to fear praying anything with God , and it's good to say , nevertheless , not my will , but your will . You know , be done , lord . But you know , the idea of seeing God come through clutch is a beautiful thing . God is never late , he's never early , he's always on time . Amen , how ?
Speaker 2about this , Mark , oh sorry . God will never give you more than he can handle .
Speaker 3Ooh , that actually goes into what I was about to say , because I think , again , this is a misquote , this one from 1 Corinthians 10 , 13 , in which it talks about temptation . But you make a really good point , which is that God will absolutely give you more than you can handle . Why would he do that ? Because when you come to the end of yourself , you begin to depend on him . Where I am weak , you will be made strong . His strength will be known through my weakness .
Speaker 4I live at the end of myself .
Speaker 3I remember when my mom was struggling with drug addiction . She was in and out of rehab . She would disappear for weeks at a time with my little sisters . We wouldn't know where they were . We'd find out they're living in a motel . They were out in Vegas wherever the case . And she had gotten out of rehab after her first stint . I had her move in with me , hoping that that would help , and she had relapsed . And I remember one night being in my bed and just bawling my eyes out , crying out to God , I can't do this . You have the wrong guy 20 something .
Speaker 4Oh , really , were you an atheist then .
Speaker 3No , I was a believer now , yeah , for a young believer . And so , anyways , I was crying out to God I can't do this , you have the wrong guy . You have the wrong guy . And I fell asleep that night realizing all of the ways I was relying on my own self . I will make sure she goes through rehab , I will this , I will that , I have a plan . And it was just like the Lord showing me that this , I'm not getting through this unless I turn to him in the midst of all of that .
Speaker 4You know , cast all your cares upon him , for he cares for you . We tend to cast upwards and then it comes down on us , on him , if he cares for you , we tend to cast it upwards , and then it comes down on us no , I know .
Speaker 2And also we say , lord , I'm leaving this at the foot of your cross . And then we say , in Jesus' name , amen , get up and hoist it back on our back and walk away with it . It's crazy , but yeah , something I've mentioned before on the podcast , but I think it's worth repeating , is our verbiage often gives us away right and we say things like Lord , help me not to do this in my own strength . The deception is in that we think we have any strength of our own right . Think about that . I don't have any in my own . What strength do I have independent of the Lord ? Our prayer should really be Lord , help me not to be deceived in thinking that I can do anything without your strength , because it's the only strength I have to rely on . So , yeah , good stuff . Now this verse is in the Bible Cleanliness is next to godliness .
Speaker 4That's not in the Bible . This is the
easiest verse . I wish it was so . Where would it be ?
Speaker 2Yeah , I don't know where the book of easy . Yeah yeah , but look , this is a silly one .
Speaker 4We don't have to . There's no such thing as cleanliness . You know that . We've got all little tiny bugs crawling across our . I don't Flesh , I don't no , I don't , I walk around with ultraviolet light on me all the time I have seen them .
Speaker 2You know that's creepy when you look at those microscopic little .
Speaker 4Electromicroscopes yeah .
Speaker 1That's pretty crazy . While we're breathing in the air , these little microbes .
Speaker 2Protein . Seriously , I'm not breathing .
Speaker 3I think one of the big things to this one is Protein . Just breathing in protein .
Speaker 1Did you just get that ? It just hit me .
Speaker 2Breathing in protein .
Speaker 4We're eating , bro it's funny , what you mean breathing in protein . We're eating , bro , it's funny . What are you chewing ?
Speaker 2Protein Breath Microscopic protein .
Speaker 3Cleanliness is next to godliness . I think the lie here is the reality that even if you put yourself together , it seems like godliness . I mean the scripture warns against whitewashed tombs . The most well put together , the most religious person that you've ever met that keeps themselves both morally , physically , spiritually clean , unbeknownst to you , might be a whitewashed tune . Ultimately , what we need is a purity of heart , which only comes through the gospel , and no outward disposition of having it together will ever make up for what's going on inside of our hearts . Oh , amen .
Speaker 2Yeah , you know you . You think about those that appear to be clean , so to speak , like morally politicians , or even pastors , or , and then you end up finding out , man , there was so much going on beneath the surface . That's never happened , has it ? No , never was me . I was so immoral that I tried to somehow cling to a form of purity by my outward cleanliness . And when I'd come home , and if things were in disarray for some reason , if I was in a hurry and I come to my room and I would feel suicidal , I would meticulously clean my room , I'd dust it , I'd organize everything , I'd sit back on my chair in my room and I would meticulously clean my room , I'd dust it , I'd organize everything , I'd sit back on my chair in my room and I would just breathe a sigh of relief , like now , my world is in order . You know , and little did I know I needed Christ you know that , yeah , pilate believed in cleanliness .
Speaker 4He washed his hands . Oh wow , honor Jesus , I'm a very clean person . I cannot stand touching the door handle of a public restroom . I always stand touching the door handle of a public restroom .
Speaker 3I always use my chin , I use my chin .
Speaker 4Don't steal my thunder .
Speaker 3I did not know you were going to say that yes , of course .
Speaker 4Just give me three seconds Use my mouth . Always use my chin .
Speaker 2You got to switch to your chin , your double chin , right , that'll help All right . Money is the root of all evil .
Speaker 4This has got to be up there with one of the top ones . So many people quote that Money is the root of all evil .
Speaker 2Blame the money .
Speaker 4Blame the money ? Yeah , it's like we've got a litter problem . No , we don't . We have a lazy people problem . Got a litter problem ? No , we don't . We have a lazy people problem not a litter problem .
Speaker 2Don't blame the litter . So what's the verse really ?
Speaker 4say , ray , what the love , oh the love of money is the root of all evil , all kinds of evil , as the modern versions say . King James says of all evil .
Speaker 2Why is that Mark ?
Speaker 1Why is the love of money the root of all evil ? Well , it's a snare , isn't it ? It promises things that don't necessarily deliver . Jim Carrey said that he wishes riches . I'm going to paraphrase riches upon everyone to demonstrate that it doesn't deliver right .
Speaker 4Oh , try me . He gets $20 million for a movie . You know , I'd rather have money and be able to feed my family than no money and not be able to feed my family .
Speaker 2Okay , so , Ray loves money . Go ahead , Go ahead , Mark . Thank you , Ray for exposing yourself .
Speaker 1How much do I correct him ? I just let the man go . He's a little senile , he's . You saw that he tried to hit me . The love of money , right , because we are to trust in God and when you have a lot of money it's easier to trust in your abilities with your finances . You know , you think of the like . The best seasoning is hunger . What will a hungry man eat ?
Speaker 3Anything , that's really good , I like that . Is that a Mark original ?
Speaker 1Yeah , I don't good , I like that . Is that a Mark ?
Speaker 3original . I don't know .
Speaker 1I've said it for years to my kids . It's like you open up your pantry it's filled with food , yet you complain that there's nothing to eat . And there's a thousand restaurants around you and there's no place to go . A closet filled with clothes and you've got nothing to wear . It's kind of like when you get down to the bare minimum you get a little bit more grateful when things come your way .
Speaker 1I remember a couple times in my life where I didn't have very much money and doing an involuntary fast , two , three , four , five days , sometimes without eating and praying for food , and then , when the food would arrive , not scarfing it down like maybe a homeless man who would get it , who hasn't eaten it , but just pausing and thanking God . Thanking God as you're eating , after you're done eating . Well , that's what happens . David said . I was once young and now I'm old . I've never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread , and now I'm old . I've never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread , being in that place where God opens up his hand and he satisfies the desire of every living creature in his timing . It's absolutely perfect . And , as our friend Thomas Purtell says , some people are so poor that all they have is money . What a terrible place to be .
Speaker 3Yeah , money is the root of all kinds of evil .
Speaker 1The love of money .
Speaker 3The love of money , the love of money . I'm sorry .
Speaker 2I think you just messed that up , didn't I Get behind me Satan Both .
Speaker 4Ray and I are the example . You didn't pray before you spoke . That's it . That's it .
Speaker 2Oscar scripture twister .
Speaker 4Go ahead .
Speaker 3Oscar .
Speaker 2Preaching every .
Speaker 4Sunday at .
Speaker 3Money is the root . No , money is the root of all kinds of evil . Why is that ?
Speaker 1all kinds of easy you should try it one more time . Give him the conch one more time Go .
Speaker 3The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil there you go .
Speaker 3The reason is because money is ultimately a tool , a resource and even a gift from God . But the reality , too , is that our hearts are wicked , they are desperate , they are sick , and we often turn good gifts of God from God into idolatrous things . We do this with children , we can do this with jobs , we can do this with money , and what ends up happening is money . If your root idol is comfort , then you will hoard money to make yourself safe . If your root idol is the praise of other people , then you will use money to show your status in this life . If your root evil is control , then you will use money to control people and things around you , and so money is the root of all these kinds . The love of money is the root of all these kinds of evil .
Speaker 3And it's actually funny that I keep messing up because that word , love , is so important , because our loves are the things that we hold dear , our idols , and so that's the reason why that word that I keep messing up on is so important because our money , the way we spend our money or the way we save and hold onto our money , is often the root of where our idols are .
Speaker 4And that scripture , they that will be rich , pierce themselves through with many sorrows . It's not saying you've got riches , it's the greed that's in the heart that desires to be rich that causes you to pierce through with many sorrows .
Speaker 2Well , paul goes on in that same chapter and he says instruct those who are rich . And then he talks about how they need to share and not trust . He says don't trust in the uncertainty of riches . And that's the thing right . Because in essence , what you're doing is , if you're placing money before God , you're creating an idol out of money , because the only one who is certain is the Lord . Everything else is uncertain . So when you're treating money like it's uncertain , you're making it God .
Speaker 2You're putting it in the place of God and Ray . Jesus basically spoke to this you can't love God and mammon .
Speaker 4You can't have two masters . Yeah , you put money as your source of joy , your source of peace , your source of trust for the future . That's when it becomes idolatrous . God should be our joy , he should be our source of peace , he should be our source , and it's so easy to do that . Say , I've got a certain amount of money in the bank that gives me peace , that gives me joy , that gives me a sense of just trusting the future will be fine . But it's uncertain riches that can go like that .
Speaker 2Yeah , man , it's crazy when you think about those who even still had a lot of money . I remember reading a few years ago about a Japanese businessman . He was a billionaire , that's it , and he committed suicide . Yeah , he committed suicide . But you see this all the time , because it's not just not having money that makes people depressed . Having money that makes people depressed , it's having and realizing that it it isn't .
Speaker 4It isn't divine .
Speaker 2Yeah , it isn't infinite . How much is elon musk worth at the moment ? 400 , 433 billion billion , don't they ?
Speaker 4project , he'll be the first trillionaire , possibly yeah , we've got to find another word for trillionaire , because it's thrown around trillion dollars . That's a what's that ? A thousand billion , and a billion is a thousand million .
Speaker 2It's just breathtaking is it a thousand billion ? Is that what a trillion is ? Yeah , I think it is .
Speaker 4Wow , it's a thousand billion and a billion is a thousand , million and a million .
Speaker 1I'll forget it you know , and you could never have enough money , right ? Rockefeller was asked the question how much is enough ? As the richest man , he said just a little more . Yeah , that's real .
Speaker 2Yeah , it is real , you know .
Speaker 4Israel , israel , israel , israel , israel , israel , israel and Lebanon . Pray for .
Speaker 2Israel
, yeah , but Squirrel , no . You threw me off . What was I going to say ? A squirrel , a squirrel , oh . That's why Scripture says that godliness with contentment is a great gain . To be content . You know , con With With Tent , a tent In a tent .
Speaker 4That's the Apostle Paul . Remember that Living in a tent ?
Speaker 2Oh yeah , that's what it means , for sure .
Speaker 4We do live in a tent .
Speaker 2Yeah , live in a tent , this tent that God lives in , okay here's another one that you would think we're only going to touch .
Speaker 4Two or three of these . We've got about nine or ten , don't we ? Who knows , we'll see . Oh , go ahead , ray , you want to throw ?
Speaker 3one out no , yeah , um , yeah , that is not in the Bible . Um , yeah , um yeah .
Speaker 1He's following his heart . Oh , um , yeah , yeah , he's following his heart .
Speaker 2Um yeah , oh man , my voice is so nice . So this one , you would think wait , you're laughing , right , Deceptive Ray , you're laughing .
Speaker 3The heart is desperately wicked .
Speaker 2I have this cough that Wheezy won't even come through . It won't let my wheeze , my beautiful wheeze come through .
Speaker 1How about this one ?
Speaker 2God wants me to be happy . Mark , that's the one I was going to do .
Speaker 1Stop it . It's like we can finish each other's sandwiches .
Speaker 2Okay , yeah , that's the one I was going to say . You may not hear people basically say this is a Bible verse , but they talk as if , though . This is in the Bible . Ray , talk about it .
Speaker 4God wants you to be happy . We've got a new catchphrase for our podcast an offense to those with sanity .
Speaker 1The Bible emphasizes joy . You know more than happiness , yeah Right , that there's a joy inexpressible and full of glory Inside of Ray's book . God is a Wonderful Blend for your Life . He talks about why am I talking to what you're right here ? Yeah well , you get a kickback With the Titanic . I refuse to tell your story . He's kicking me under the table Easy .
Speaker 3how would you distinguish the difference between joy and happiness ?
Speaker 2Yeah , I would say , happiness is circumstantial and happiness is .
Speaker 1Dependent Circumstantial . That's really good .
Speaker 2Circumstantial .
Speaker 4It comes from what's happening . Conditional , that was the other word . It comes from what's happening , and that's why America's in pursuit of happiness . You never catch it .
Speaker 2Oh , did you notice that From what's happening , h-a-p-p that's what he did . What he said , that , yeah , he did that . He never listened to anything .
Speaker 4He's a beautiful day , he's happy , but he runs out of gas . His girlfriend leaves him and it's a wrong day .
Speaker 3He's not happy because of circumstances what's happening to him Right .
Speaker 2Yeah , joy is rooted in a person .
Speaker 4It's also objective , isn't it ? Rejoice , not because demons are subject to , but rejoice because your name is written in heaven and the word rejoice is in essence another word for joy . It has joy right in the middle of it . Spelled differently to sort of trick you .
Speaker 2So , if you rejoice , what's joicing ?
Speaker 4in the first place . You're doing it again . You're joicing again .
Speaker 3Yes , joicing If Ray wrote a dictionary .
Speaker 2God is not choice .
Speaker 4If Ray wrote a dictionary Gotta snipe , Gotta snipe . They like the gotta oh that's terrible .
Speaker 3This is , I think , a really hard one for American Christians to listen to and understand , because the comfort life , the good life , is an idol to us . We want comfort , we want a good life , we want experience . It's like how can that not be the precipice of everything that we are trying to accomplish ? To be able to look at somebody and say God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness . It's discomforting , right , but it's ultimately true . God is interested .
Speaker 3As someone else once said , he's more interested in your character than your comfort . God means to make you more like who you were designed to be , more like his son , and his son himself experienced persecution and suffering and even death on the cross . And so if that's true , then how much more ? Why wouldn't we expect to experience suffering in this world ? But if our focus , if our North Star , is happiness , we're going to be disappointed in this world . But if our focus , if our North Star , is happiness , we're gonna be disappointed in this life as a Christian and not as a Christian , because life is uncomfortable in this fallen state . But the promise of the gospel is that one day you will experience true joy , no more discomfort in heaven , and until then , the goal of God in your life is to make you more like his son . He's more interested in your holiness than he is in your happiness .
Speaker 4I think it's summed up in the scripture riches profit not in the day of wrath , but righteousness delivers from death . That's what we should be seeking to make sure we have the righteousness of Christ on the day of wrath .
Speaker 1And therefore it's possible to be joyful and not happy .
Speaker 3That's possible right , and so what I was going to get to earlier is inside of Ray's book .
Speaker 1God has a Wonderful Plan for your Life . He talks about how , on April 12th 1912 , is the date Titanic went down . Right around that time you think of the people inside the lifeboats and they're looking at their family go down in the North Atlantic , down into this icy grave . If you were to stop everything , freeze , frame the event and interview the people inside the life raft and say , aren't you happy ? It's like , well , there's a joy that's inexpressible in that you know that you're saved . But I can't say that I'm happy as I see my loved ones and my friends that I just made die right before my eyes . I wasn't happy when I saw certain things inside my life . I'm not happy in those , but I have a joy . I have a joy and I have a certainty that God is at work and he is working all things together for my good .
Speaker 2I think Peter captured it well First . Peter 1 . Oh wow .
Speaker 1Well , you didn't give the verse . You know , 1 Peter 1 . Oh wow , well , you didn't give the verse , you just gave the whole chapter 1 .
Speaker 4Peter 1 what Give us the ?
Speaker 2verse . Let me see 1 Peter beginning in verse 6 . Yes , good one .
Speaker 4That's a good one , love it .
Speaker 2Buffoons man . In this you greatly rejoice though now , for a little while , if need be , you have been grieved by various trials that the genuineness of your faith , being much more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire , may be found to praise , honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ , whom , having not seen you love though now you do not see him yet believing you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory .
Speaker 4What sort of joy is that ? Could you explain ?
Speaker 2it yeah , but before that no , it's inexpressible , you can't . He said yeah yeah , I can .
Speaker 2But the verse before the one I read . He talked about how we have a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance and corruptible , undefiled and that will not fade away , reserved in heaven for you . So sandwiched between that is the joy right , and he connects that with rejoicing in loving Jesus . So what more do we need for joy ? And again , I love the fact you guys highlighted that , the reality that we can be sad and have joy , we can grieve , we can lament , we can experience emotional pain .
Speaker 4Though the fig tree does not blossom . You know that verse Habakkuk , one of my favorites .
Speaker 2Habakkuk , habakkuk , but you know what I'm saying . It's like what more do we need ? Then ? We're going to heaven and connected with what Peter is saying we don't see Jesus now . We've never seen him . We don't see him now . We rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory . Why ? Because heaven is really Jesus . We're going to go be with him and that's the joy that carries us through . I'm weeping , I'm crying , I'm in pain , but I'm not undone , I'm not utterly destroyed , because I'm going to go to be with Jesus , the one that I love , the one that loves me , who loved me I mean , paul says this who loved me and gave himself for me . What more do we need ?
Speaker 4That's the essence of our faith . I'm just thinking the Bible verse if any man loved not our Lord Jesus Christ , let him be anathema .
Speaker 3That's what scripture says .
Speaker 4So , that's the essence of loving God with heart , mind , soul and strength , putting your affection upon Jesus yeah , I love what you're pointing out Easy .
Speaker 3It reminds me of James 1 , 2 to 4 , which is my brethren . Count it all joy when you fall into various trials . And I love the way that it uses the phrase count it all joy because it reminds us to , I think . Look at life as an accountant , and an accountant looks at a profit and loss sheet . And so if you look at your life and you're like I've got these bills , this car payment , this mortgage , this medical bill , and that equals $10,000 a month in debt , you might feel the wave at all . That's your present day trials . But if you look at your profit sheet and you're like I make $10 million a month , then that $10,000 means nothing . And that same way , when you look at the various trials of your life , count it up these are your trials . But also count up the eternal treasure , the inheritance you're getting in heaven and realize , count it all joy . You're good . The profit is much greater than the loss . Yeah .
Speaker 2Oh , it's so good . Yeah , you know , you guys know , our house just flooded recently , right , yeah , right Right before I went to Cuba , the day before the house floods and basically everything's ripped out , and you know it's . I mean we're . It's just weird . We're living with bare floors , open walls Sounds amazing actually Like a regular modern house and what did you discover yesterday ?
Speaker 4Oh , asbestos in my house .
Speaker 2Trifecta , so you know . But again , rachel and I , we just looked at each other and we just said look , how blessed we are right . Like circumstantially . But if we train ourselves to when those things strike , I'm going to heaven . I'm going to be with Jesus , Okay now . Yeah , we're dealing with hard , but let that hold us and carry us through .
Speaker 4Don't be looking to this temporal happiness . Yeah , seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness , and all that junk will be added . I added that word , junk Added unto you .
Speaker 2All right , let's look at some verses that are misinterpreted , unless you guys have some you want to throw in here , name it , claim it follow your heart .
Speaker 1If you have enough faith , you're going to be healed .
Speaker 4Yeah , they're absolutely great . What ? Let's look at those .
Speaker 2Did you say they sound great ? Yeah , great samples . When you think about .
Speaker 1If you have enough faith , you'll be healed . Boy , it's such a difficult one . We hear it all the time . I like to point out the fact where we had the paralytic , that was lowered through the roof down to Jesus , and it was the faith of the friends , not the faith of the individual , who needed to be healed . So if somebody says well , you need to have enough faith , I say well , let it who needed to be healed . So if somebody says well , you need to have enough faith , I say well , let it be according to your faith . Where's your faith ? It doesn't have to be the faith of that individual , and it's a great example in the midst of that Well , the paralex .
Speaker 4When your friends let you down , jesus will lift you up . Elevators will let you down .
Speaker 1That's right . Elevators will let you down ?
Speaker 2Yeah , that's good , All right . Well , let's touch on a few . Do you have something , Oscar ? Are we going to say something ?
Speaker 3Are we going to cover hate the sin , love the sinner ?
Speaker 2Go ahead ? No , I don't want to . Well , we are limited Go ahead , what do ?
Speaker 1you got . Give us the absolute best here .
Speaker 2it is the best we could possibly have Well okay , I want to get into misquoted , so out of context . We talked about we're going to do that . Philippians 4.13 . What Powerful . I can do all things through Christ , who strengthens me .
Speaker 1Steph Curry on his shoes .
Speaker 2Everywhere . Mark , explain this to us .
Speaker 1Yeah , well , it's not that you can literally do anything and everything that you can possibly put your mind to it right , a man will never give birth to a female . Cont everything that you can possibly put your mind to it right , a man will never give birth to a female . Contextually , in the midst of that , the Apostle Paul is . He learned to get by with a little and he learned to get by with a lot when
it comes to his daily sustenance . You know , I can do all things through Christ , who strengthens me , but what we do is we misapply that to be anything right . I mean , just name it , name it and it's gonna fall into place .
Speaker 2Yeah and boy . This is so key when it comes to hermeneutics right Proper interpretation of Scripture . Let me read the context of that .
Speaker 3I was about to say yeah , please .
Speaker 2So Philippians 4 , 10 to 13, .
Speaker 2But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now , at last , your care for me has flourished again , though you surely did care , but you lacked opportunity . Not that I speak in regard to need , for I have learned , in whatever state I am , to be content . I know how to be abased and I know how to abound Everywhere and on all things . I've learned both to be full and to be hungry , both to abound and to suffer need . I can do all things through Christ , who strengthens me . See that you get the context Paul is talking about . No matter what situation he's in , he's suffering , he's abounding , he can what , he can be sustained because of Christ , and he can endure all those sorts of things , and even I mean you take the backdrop of this letter to the Philippian church .
Speaker 3Paul has been shipwrecked , his body has been utterly beaten , he's been kicked out of cities , and he is writing this letter while in prison . And so the context isn't I can do all things . It's more like I'm experiencing all of these trials and I will make it through them because God is strengthening me , which hearkens back to God , helps those who help themselves , like Paul is recognizing . I can't help myself , but the Lord is here with me so reverently .
Speaker 4But there's a lot of ear-tickling scriptures that people just . That appeals to the flesh . I was telling you yesterday that I tried something different at Huntington Beach when I was interviewing people . I got a Bible verse and wrote it down and quoted it to someone and said tell me what you think it means . And I thought that's a good thing to do get unsaved people to tell us what this Bible verse means . I thought I want to do that more often . So I got on Amazon and I found little Bible promises a hundred of them in a little box . I thought this will be great , open it up . And it was all air ticklers , it was all . I have plans for you , no way .
Speaker 4Yeah and I thought so . I've just ordered , printed on a card just today , Bible verses about sin , righteousness and judgment that we can memorize , and they're not ear ticklers , and that's what's missing in so much of today's Christendom .
Speaker 2I love the way that that's put . You know ear tickling , because that's what it ? Is , you know it's like oh , my ear likes to hear that don't tell me hard things , you know that I can you show us what you're tickling ? Take all my x , and take all my x , yeah I haven't watched that in decades yeah , we know , yeah , this is um , uh , this is , this is a good one . That , I think again , is another example of bad hermeneutics , when people will take things and do that .
Speaker 4Could you define hermeneutics ?
Speaker 3Her-men .
Speaker 4This woman has men , hermeneutics is the correct biblical interpretation of I'm trying to find this first . What the writer's intended . Is that correct Easy ?
Speaker 3When Easy's checking his sports betting , we could do a barbershop . What'd you say when Easy's checking his sports betting ?
Speaker 2Oh , this is my oh yeah , here , it is here , it is here , it is Okay . Genesis 31 . Mishpah you guys heard about Mishpah . Okay , Mishpah , also Mishpah , because he said may the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another . And often people you'll see this on , jewelry , you'll see this on , but this is between Jacob and Laban , when , when you know , jacob had left and taken off and they were making this , this between them because they didn't trust each other . And he said you know , he's taken his wife's and kids and everything and taking off , and and Laban , you know Laban didn't trust him , and so things like that , oh , may the Lord watch between me and you when we're absent from each other . No , he's saying , like God's witness , if you try to come back and do something to hurt me or whatever .
Speaker 4So , yeah , things like that . That was very good , ez . Thank you .
Speaker 2I have no idea .
Speaker 3what you just said Sounds like a sermon in the making .
Speaker 4I understood . Nice rough draft have to make sense next time .
Speaker 2EZ it . That makes sense next time . It was great , I loved it . Oh , I love myself . Okay , matthew , 7.1 . Judge not that you be not judged .
Speaker 4That's the world's favorite Bible verse . Talk about that , ray . Yeah , it's talking about Christians putting one another down , judging your brother , because he's talking to the Christians they gathered around him in the Sermon on the Mount and it's in reference or in correlation to Romans 14 . Who are you to put your brother down ? Set him at naught , as the KJV says Further on in the scriptures I think another chapter . Jesus said when you judge , use righteous judgment . In other words , if you see an elderly lady , someone going to punch her in the face and she falls down , you can say to yourself that's not morally right . You can make a moral judgment . And so Christians have no judgment in their hearts when it comes to morality . We can make those judgments .
Speaker 2Yeah , paul in Corinthians , when he was talking about I believe it's 1 Corinthians 5 , he was talking about putting away the wicked man from yourselves and he says do you not judge those who are in the church , those who are outside ? God judges , but do you not judge , in other words , don't you make a judgment morally , on those that are professing Christ . You know we get a bad rap for this often when we talk about true and false conversion . Oh , you're judging people . No , we're saying hey , examine the fruit , because scripture says this If we say we have fellowship with God but walk in darkness , we lie and don't practice the truth . By this we know we come to know him and we keep his commandments . So one who says I've come to know him but doesn't keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him .
Speaker 2Titus 1.16 , to me on that day , lord , lord , right . And he's going to say to them I never knew you . So it's important . This is very , very key , because I think a lot of Christians , oscar , you might agree don't say the things they should to people , because all they're going to think I'm judging them .
Speaker 3And maybe one of the things that holds us back from saying the right thing is we know we have sin in our own hearts . We think to ourselves well , I see the sin in them , but I know that they see that same sin in me , which reminds me of the process of the Levitical priests in the Old Testament , and this is what we should do . You know , at the Day of Atonement , the priests would go before the Lord and represent the people and ask for forgiveness . But before they did that , before they talked about the sin in others that was in need and forgiveness , the Levitical priests would look at the sin in themselves . They would go through a cleansing
process because they knew that if they stepped past that curtain in an unrighteous way , they would be struck down dead .
Speaker 3And so we need to come before the Lord and we need to confess our sins . We need to not approach people in hypocritical ways . This is sort of the opposite end of that , in that we can be a bad kind of judgmental in which we have a self-righteousness , in which we're unwilling to see our own sin , in which we're calling other people out while they're looking at us going man , you're right next to me in all of this , and so I think we ought to examine our own hearts and come before the Lord and practice public repentance to the people in our lives so that we can speak with a clear conscience and not be held , not be reserved , because we know that we're no one to speak . Amen .
Speaker 4And often that being leveled at judge , not least to be judged as to the Christian who's trying to share the gospel with an unsaved person . And the way to handle that I've found , is just to ask questions , Like Paul did in Romans 2, . You say you shall not steal . Do you steal ? You don't say you're a thief . You let them say that .
Speaker 2Yeah , that's good . Yeah , and also a part of being judgmental is judging people's hearts , people's motives , things that you can't possibly know . But when it comes to external actions that violate God's word , yeah , that's a judgment , but the word of God is making the judgment . You're agreeing with what it says ?
Speaker 3And to somebody who might be like . Well , I feel uncomfortable using the 10 commandments and the law and evangelism . Does God not send judges ? He sends judges . You are not judging by your own standards . You're coming as a herald to the great judge who has judged us all .
Speaker 2Amen , good , all right , just one I'll touch on real quickly as we wrap up , and that's Romans 8 , 28, . And we know that God causes all things to work together for good . Yes , it's true , but always remember the context is in that , as he conforms us into the image of Christ , the reason why it's important to understand this is because people will interpret that in oh okay , well , my car just broke down , so now God's going to give me a brand new Lamborghini as a hypothetical , like the one Ray just got .
Speaker 2Oh , I have a Lamborghini A's , eh , toy one , cave Really . Oh , I have a Lamborghini AZ , toy one , oh , a toy one , yeah , caveat .
Speaker 1Yeah , aren't all your things toys ? It's the only thing he fits in .
Speaker 4What do you think of people at button ?
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 4Stop it .
Speaker 2But it's important to understand that what that's meaning is , even if you go through difficult circumstances and things don't turn out the way you want them to , god is still going to use that circumstance for the good , and that he's making you more like Christ and that's the greatest hope , because that thing that may go good . Now you're thinking , oh no , what if something happens to it again ? But no , it's unconditional , because he's conforming us Doesn't mean that , principally , god doesn't impact circumstances positively at times , but that's not what we're looking at , and the importance is context . Amen , times , but that's not what we're looking at and the importance is context . Amen , amen , amen . Wow , this was fun . A lot more frowns . But hey , be a Berean , be in a Berean insertion and see if what is said is true . Is it agreeing with what is heard and taught by many ? Because plenty distort and twist the scriptures to their own destruction . They don't follow my God's instruction . What ?
Speaker 4do you say Quaker you like ? That Just be clear . Next , time .
Speaker 2Yeah , get a little clear . That was very good . All right , friends , there you have it . Don't forget why Christianity is solving life's most important questions . As Mark and Ray punch each other over a million copies in print . Remember Living Waters , my Life , the Heaven Study Bible , living Waters TV , alllivingwaterscom podcast at livingwaterscom . That's where we want to hear the good stuff , friends . And yeah , remember all that rating stuff and all that good stuff . Thank you for joining us , friends .
Speaker 2We'll see you here next time Crazy On the Living Waters podcast where we have no idea what we're doing . Ray , everyone can hear you whispering to your phone You're using Siri in the middle of all this . Bye friends .