Good News Not Locked up

By Rhiannonw

Sun, 17 Nov 2024
  • 128 reads
6 comments
 

[Continuing the hymn-for-Sundays series]

Imprisoned, Paul was bound.
God’s word they could not bind
– it quickly spread, and soon was found,
believed, in every land.

He was no criminal,
but many seemed to hate
the preaching of God’s gracious call,
and tried to silence it.

God’s words will not return
mistaken, unfulfilled,
the truth we need from him to learn,
he’ll do all he has willed.

And though they Christians kill,
the church will never die,
for Jesus brings to life, and will
his people purify. 

Tune: SM

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead …as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a  criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” 2 Timothy 2:8,9 ESV translation.

 

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Comments

Submitted by Nolan on

Didn't God free Peter from prison so miraculously? and I have heard other stories from witnesses and their own, such as angels appearing and saving men's life in a Bible study, from gang members trembling of fear and even myself have a story to tell.

History has proved the church is always strongest in times of persecution.

Lovely words Rhiannon! Have a good day, and a good week! Nolan &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Yes, he freed Peter, though allowed James to be put to death, and many were martyred by lions, though he shut their mouths when Daniel was thrown into them. And he saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the flames, but many have been killed for their witness. As Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said to the king, 'the God we serve is able to save us from it …But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods, or worship the image of gold that you have set up.'  He is able to give grace to bear such things in life or to death, but can and does do miracles, and save miraculously.

And it has been said that 'the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church', for rather than destroying the church, many are awed at the grace given and character of those who thus witness to Christ, and the clear and certain hope for eternity they had.

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Thanks for taking so much effort to write your reply your knowledge always is amazing. Your replies and wisdom are always carefully considered, balanced, helpful and interesting.

I sit with a dilemma here honestly, it keeps me awake at night. Do you believe in per-marital sex? .Or how far can you take it, to be blunt?.Honestly I sit with a situation, being a granny and all you must have experience? Please be specific as possible, otherwise it might not be of much use.

And is murder OK? Say if you are a soldier or a mercenary or police man, I mean if that is your actual job? Asking on behalf of some close friend/s.

Looking forward to sound advice! & Nolan

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I appreciate you openness and honesty, Nolan.

No, pre-marital sex is not the way God has chosen. Making the commitment and in public is the first step, and the intimacy of sex is fully blessed then. That said, there is a path of repentance for those who fall, but then to put the situation right, and best to follow the biblical pattern from the start.

As for murder. A soldier under orders, or one paid to be an official in charge of capital pubishment by a government where cases have gone through the courts, is not carrying out murder. They are the servants ordained for order and self-defence. Murder is something personal, as is manslaughter though that is where there was not a planned intention to kill.

I hope that helps? Rhiannon

 

 

Submitted by Nolan on

I don't think the "biblical pattern"examples are such a good idea but a careful, more conservative approach would be best, agreed, but I was hoping for something more concrete like "nothing below the belt". Well as they say, don't open the presens before Christmas (?)

As far as murder goes I think you have a lame excuse. Sadly, no, it didn't mean much.

All the best! Nolan &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

By 'biblical pattern' I didn't mean examples of people we can read of in scripture that have fallen into various pitfalls. I was meaning the Biblical principles about marriage. In Hebrews 13:4 it says, 'Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral' Again that is not to say that there is no way of repentance. Genesis 2:24 says, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wiife.' Indicating that full commitment should come first. Otherwise there can follow all sorts of hurt if there is sex followed by a drawing apart.

In Romans chapter 13 there is much about rulers and governing authorities that they are to do good for the people, but  'if you do evil, be afraid, for he (the ruler) does not  bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister an avenger to wrath on him who practices evil'. There has to be self defence if a people is attacked by another, and there will be killing, but only under supervision. I heard recently of a lot of Christians in a war zone, who previous to their being attacked would have chosen to be pacifist. But now they realised they must defend their families. Sadly once in war stiuations things can get out of control, and people act in temper and anger and vengeance - which can be from misinformation. But the principle is that we do need solidiers who will be prepared to kill enemy when they are ordered to do so;.

Rhiannon