Reprobate Mind - the mind tends to reduce a passage like this to its most palatable speck. Here we find as the diciple's minds were being opened up they were "astonished" frequently at Jesus's fuller revelations. Doesn't mean that they understood or agreed yet, only that they were seeing how deep things really were becoming.
Reprobate Mind - we see that at least in the case of divorce a legalized leniency was granted because of the hardness of mens hearts. Perhaps better stated as a civil protection for the offended party. God's better intention is that their softer hearts would not cause this course of action.
Reprobate Mind - The heart here is pictured as having a foreskin needing to be circumcised. This appears then to be it's natural state. Circumcision appears to be the symbolic token of the covenant.
So much for the all paths lead to God argument. Intellectually "all paths" is sold as open minded as opposed to theologically narrow minded. This form of argument is held by the uncommitted. It strips the rights of ownership from the creator and exalts idolatry over monogamy. Jesus counters that it is thievery... and the thief comes to steal kill and destroy. Most open mindedness is closed mindedness to Jesus.
Cornelius and then Peter are now redirected by God. One by a voice the other by a vision, the vision being confirmed later by the voice. Notice that the meaning of the vision is still unknown to Peter and Cornelius certainly doesn't even know about it either. God produced a desire to pursue an eventual answer, created a means outside of Peters own construction to deliver it, and is insisting first and foremost on the trust and obedience of both men to reach the further knowledge.
If the Reprobate Mind can reduce God down to nothing then there is no requirement made of him from God, he can do as he pleases. Nothing can be in the form of atheism or agnosticism or this unconditional love fluff.
Ensamples they are, written for our admonition. Let's look at just the pure mathematics of probability. It is immensely more probable that we are beset by one of these traits than not. Idolaters, fornicators, tempters of Christ, murmurers, each trait more diverse and profound than first glance; and there are more. If one today thinks he stands he should take heed lest he fall. God knows this and is faithful. He has made a means to escape and bear it!
We often look for clear and concrete guidelines when it comes to the many grey areas of life. Concrete guidelines are not always found. No clearer principal exits however than the conscience of others and the profitability to souls being moved/directed toward the kingdom of God. If it offends, set aside any personal liberty for the moment. Do all to the glory of God.
Nowadays, minus the temple, there is no way for Jews to perform their sacrifices. I am sure that they have used some of these same scriptural quotes to justify their position, that the sacrifices weren't really needed in the first place. The problem for them still would be that there is no remission of sins without the sprinkling of blood. The Christian followers have not ceased from the sprinkling of blood, it is that the blood now is the blood of God's chosen one, the sacrifice He Himself provided as with Abraham, Jesus Christ. His sacrifice is once and for all and complete.
Daniel had done two things right in order for his prayers to be answered, he sought/set his heart to understand, he chastened himself before God. From that point (even though at times it may not have seemed to him like it) his prayers were heard. Now the Lord comes.
This is an insight perhaps like seen no where else in the Old Testament. Spiritual warfare 21 days with the prince of Persia, Michael coming in to assist the Lord. What else is going on around us that we are unaware of?
We see another situation where incest was not forbidden but, required to continue the race. Eventually the genetic components of the seed would become more and more damaged to the point where soon it's produce would be disgusting and the act would be forbidden.
A man may come to know that he has sinned. He may even come to ask others forgiveness. That does not mean how ever that he has come to see eye to eye with the Lord. He may as in this case be seeking to escape the consequences to come with little regret or repentance.
2012 - pBiblx2 Field Wise Bible System Version 2.0.9d - GPL3
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