Does God Turn Christians Over to Their Sin?

Does the Bible teach that God turns believers over to their sin. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity will hi there this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez.

This is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. Our phone lines are open right now and you can call us for the next 25 minutes at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 also post your question on one of our social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram or twitter and you can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Ralph in Long Island, New York. Ralph what your question for pastor atrial a Ralph how are you I'm doing pretty good. Love you show Mama like I was doing the question and the Lord God, I love hey thank you so much. What's your question question is the Old Testament right to sky Melchizedek right yeah no father, no mother came out to meet Abraham any what can you sound that it that's right any game red wine and a redevelopment Hebrews right right.

Hebrews says Jesus is a priest in the order located. So my question is best area in the Old Testament could describe Melchizedek document right be the pre-incarnate Christ via them and that's an excellent question so that the first just to give us a little bit of the landscape. Melchizedek is mentioned initially in Genesis chapter 14, you got some of the context there. You know there's there's been this great battle and the battle is over and Abraham goes out to meet a number of kings and Melchizedek, the king of Salem is one of those kings.

He brings out bread and wine. He started right there have these these foreshadowing's of the Lord's supper were told that he was a priest of God most time he blessed Abraham, saying, Blessed be Abram by God most high possessor of heaven and earth and blessed be God. Most I was delivered your enemies into your hand. So this guy just this comes at a nowhere really interesting. You know you have this this individual who brings out bread and wine his blessing. Abraham was referred to as a priest of God most high, and then you don't hear about them again in in the rest of the Old Testament into each of the book of Psalms in Psalm 110 verse four. David has this essentially was envision this revelation given to him by God where he talks about one of one of his descendents. His Lord know someone 10 begins the Lord said said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet and then there's his promise.

I'm in a make you do this to this future coming King. A priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. So for a long time we don't hear about this.

This mysterious figure until we get to the book of Hebrews as you mentioned in in the text to note is Hebrews chapter 7, where the author the Hebrews is talking about Christ's priesthood.

Now your specific question is, is Melchizedek. In Genesis chapter 14 a pre-incarnate Jesus.

I think the answer is given to us in Hebrews 7. Listen what Hebrews 7 says I'm centering the first few verses beginning in verse one for this Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of the most high God met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and said to him and to him. Abraham apportioned 1/10 part of everything another to give them a ties he is first by translation of his name, king of righteousness.

And then he is also King of Salem that is King of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy. Having neither beginning of days nor end-of-life.

Now why does it say doesn't have father mother genealogy is because in that the revelation given to us in Genesis chapter 14 there there is no background of a disorder comes out of the out of the blue, you think about you how important genealogies were in the Old Testament, in particular in the book of Genesis its restraints to have this very prominent figure show up without any genealogy. And so it it it seems as if God's word God's redemptive revelation is depicting Melchizedek as this individual who who has no father or mother. Now that doesn't necessarily mean that that the figure in Genesis 14 didn't actually have a father or mother, but that that's how God's revelation is depicting him and then we read verse three but resembling the son of God.

He continues his priest forever, and I think it on the basis of that word. There resembling it just means to to be similar to, or like something else that milk as it is necessarily a pre-incarnate Christ, but that he is a type of Christ as individual in the revelation of the Old Testament. Who is this type of Jesus Christ the King of righteousness, the king of peace, who brings out bread and wine it. It's as if he doesn't even have a beginning, because we know we don't hear anything about his mother or father.

Well, in that sense he's like Jesus.

He's a picture for us of Jesus, the one who ultimately came the true King of righteousness, that the one who continues his priest forever. The true king of peace, who gave his disciples a meal with bread and wine signifying his sacrificial death for them and so I think that's the best way to understand this. This figure this mysterious figure, there are some Ralph who who have said, I think that is a pre-incarnate Christ. That is no one one way of approaching the text. I think the best way to understand it is. He's a type of Christ on the basis of Hebrews chapter 7 verse three you for your question.

You know it really is another place in the Old Testament that is come up for questions like that and that's when you see the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace, and that fourth figure in their do you believe that that could be either an angel or pre-incarnate Christ or what what your thoughts on that particular foreshadowing. Yeah, I do. As a matter fact, think so. You know that you think of the other the language of the angel of the Lord throughout the Old Testament. This this divine figure who is there with the people of God who appears before the people of the Lord, guiding them oftentimes delivering them from their enemies, what you have there in the book of Daniel, and so mysterious you know but but but but the reality is one of the things he communicates to us is the way in which God works with his people and how God revealed himself over time throughout redemptive history. You have the sort of types and shadows of our Lord Jesus all over the place in the Old Testament. It's not like it, you know you you can't really learn about Christ, the second person of the holy Trinity. The word until you get to the New Testament know he's everywhere there even even in the Old Testament were were told by John in the beginning of John's Gospel.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God. And so it's so wonderful to see how the entire Bible testifies to Jesus, the King of peace, and the king of righteousness I meant. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's get to Austin in Georgetown, Kentucky, Austin, what's your question for past red room recently so I had to leave my church for about four years and I've been playing guitar. Their worship team and is always looking for new church in my new town and authentic church. I really like him and start really good preaching the music's great people are really friendly but they don't really have room for me on the worship right now and I feel like a given the gift of playing guitar be on the worship team social go to a church that is a good church or should I keep looking for somewhere gift given a Austin thank you and I do pray that the Lord gives you guidance with this question. It really is important, especially as we move to new a new area to get plugged into a solid church and the primary thing and I'm glad to hear the districts that that you have checked that has really good preaching� I think that that has to be essential for us in the book of acts and ask chapter 2 verse 42 talks about the early Christian community doesn't listen what they were focused on. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread with the breaking of the bread, probably a reference to the Lord's supper. There and the prayers and all came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles and all who believed were together and had all things in common.

I think first and foremost we need to be plugged into churches where the focus is on the apostles teaching is the message of the gospel is the word of God being clearly taught expositors proclaimed our people being led into a deeper understanding of the Scriptures that is that is so important because it's it's there that we have an encounter with the living God.

And so I would say look if you're in a church that's doing that but there's not room on the worship team and you have to choose between that church and another church that maybe doesn't do that so well, but they got plenty of room on the worship team, I would say go to the church where the word of God is going to be faithfully taught.

Now that doesn't mean that it's, it's, you know, not a big deal are unimportant for you to find ways to serve, and it seems like this is a way in which you want to serve in the Lord is gifted you in this area, so maybe that's it. That's a conversation you have over time. I know a lot of times they show up to a new church and and sometimes I think we can be a little bit too eager like a I'm I'm here and I'm ready to do something, give me give me a job well. That takes time. I would say maybe get plugged in, serving other ways and see if over time Austin there aren't openings there on the worship team for be for you to be able to use your gift for that congregation. In particular, and a and to be able to bless others with with these gifts that the Lord has blessed you with. But the priority has to be the preached word in the community that's there with the fellowship of believers. That's there and and then with that as you grow in that in that body and that particular church.

Finding opportunities to serve in ways that are needed. I think that that's really really key to say 11 of the thing. We oftentimes talk about you how important it is for us to serve in churches going to say and I don't think that this is this is you, Austin. Sounds to me like you know you have the rewrite understanding of this, but I know there a lot of churches and a lot of Christians really push that you don't have to be doing something I have to be doing something to the point where they ultimately over time they begin to feel really burdened and even burnt out because I have to volunteer for this and I got to be a part of this youth group or community group or no small fellowship that kind of a thing, and over time.

This is sort of like you know Martha in the gospel doing doing doing. You just get tired.

First and foremost we go to church not to do but to receive to receive God's word to receive the gospel to be nourished by the body and blood of Jesus. We really need to recover this in the church today.

I think because so many people know they go to church and they leave. Exhausted, they leave burdened feeling like they're not that good. We should go to church feeling washed feeling fed feeling nourished because we are being served by the true and the living God fight by his gospel by the gifts that he gives and from that place. Having received all of these these blessings from the Lord and we get to serve each other with joy and with excitement and so I pray that the Lord blesses you with that. Austin that you get plugged into a church where your minister to where you're served by the gospel in your build up in your faith and your also able to use the gifts that God is giving you to bless others.

Thanks. Are you mystical Austin would also like to point you to one of our core questions. It's called how do I choose a church.

All you have to do is go to core Christianity.com/questions to find that particular question there some great information there that we know will find helpful and we pray that God will provide a way for you to use your gift of guitar playing. Maybe with the children's ministry or the high school ministry or someplace like that of the church.

Let's go to another call here on core Christianity this is Kim in Marshall, Texas Kim what your question for Pastor Israel ADL. Thank you so much for what you're doing. I recently come across Christian group on Facebook and one of the postings, I believe, was a false teaching was referring to Jesus stripe saying that the by his stripes that were going to have prosperity were going to have physical healing and and I said I thought that that would base his stripe. His stripes was about referring to our healing from sin and salvation, and the women on the on the post.

I believe she's an administrator from the site, which so it disturbed me because her response to me what I said there was very loving and very kind Christian way and her response to me was that will more just and have to agree to disagree now my question to you is one I already know from teaching and that Jesus stripe that does not refer to that we are guaranteed a physical healing, or that were guaranteed physical prosperity because Paul himself did not receive a physical healing, and I believe that one of the things that that's in the Bible for Esther to ask ourselves and answer are we still going to worship and love God if he does not answer our prayer for healing. The way we want anyway what Mike big question is when you were in into something like this where you believe the site is giving false teaching.

I don't want to get into a quarrel with this woman but at the same time I worry about baby Christians that are going to be hurt by this leading to me sounds like you have discernment and like the Lord is bless you with wisdom in this in this particular situation because there are ways that people take Isaiah 53 and twisted and teach that on the basis of of what Christ is done through his atoning sacrifice for us his suffering. The stripes that he experienced, we are promised and should experience a physical healing in our bodies whenever we ask for it now. The text in question.

Isaiah chapter 53, beginning in verse five he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his wounds we are healed. Use even there. The focuses is primarily on healing from sin. Jesus being crushed for our iniquities being pierced for our transgressions, and so so your understanding at this.

I think correctly in its context. Now there is a place in the Gospels where where this is quoted Isaiah 53 with reference to physical healing, but you're absolutely correct in saying, look, we are not as Christians promised physical healing and prosperity.

The apostle Paul is is a great example.

You brought him up, but others as well. Timothy so many of the, the companions of the apostles who experience physical sick sickness and suffering, and I was just like you guys would have enough faith your you're not really walking with Jesus fatefully to say that about the apostle Paul, but God still in his providence allowed them to suffer. Things like sickness and and so it really is important that we understand this correctly. Not a great place to go Kim for emphasizing again our healing from sin is a quotation of Isaiah 53 given by the apostle Peter in the book of first Peter in first Peter chapter 2 beginning in verse 22.

Listen to what Peter said Jesus committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth when he was reviled.

He did not revile in return when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly, he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness by his wounds you have been healed for you were straying like sheep you have now returned to the Shepherd and overseer of your souls. In other words, if you are in Christ. Isaiah 53 has already been applied to you whether you're sick or not, whether you have no physical ailment or not by the wounds of Jesus. You have been healed. In what sense will my sins have been forgiven that stain of sin and I love the fact that you want to see people lead into a deeper understanding of the Scriptures you want to grasp the truth so they're not led astray. If I think that that what you do is with love with gentleness you correct.

People who disagree with what the word of God says and and sometimes he will say let's agree to disagree or whatnot. There's only so much you can do, but I think you and what you can what you can do is pray and also as you're doing understand the Scriptures in their context and share those scriptures in their contacts with others who need to hear them and understand them that way as well and so may the Lord bless you as you do that, may he fill you with charity with love and with with wisdom in in these conversations that you're having. Thank you so much for your question bill.

Are we losing their I think you know I think that we just lost my trusted cohost Bill so I'm in a take over for Bill, and I think we got it we got a call here from Jane, why don't we go to Jane well yeah you're welcome. What's your question, so I am a high conflict divorce, but an abusive man and I knew and and picture acts 529 repeated and other possible I'm applying saying that they got better than human bonded incident, and if it will apply to me because their children lost in the Carver high conflict in the card from my husband put a thought on the street would have lobbied the and he's now going to be a victim. I am not letting me around because I'm afraid they will be able to sell. I know that God is not guaranteed. You are an advocate attorney or agenda which you now find out what I'm not obeying my attorney when it comes to matters how you shine on a guy now want to put them at risk. Jane, I definitely want to pray for you and I'm I'm so sorry to hear about the situation were in when when when people are in situations of abuse, physical abuse and and Whitford for themselves and also foot for their for their children. You know I would never encourage you to put yourself in harm's way or or to put your children in harms way and so you have to do what's right for your children. Where there are situations of abuse. You need to.

You do need to report that to authorities. The fact of the matter is too often I think that there's a sort of argument that like hey if you if you if you're really a Christian you should just be forgiving and assertive overlook this kind of thing. That's all God calls us to do. He calls us to use wisdom and where there is abuse you. You address that you address it the way that that it needs to be addressed now like I can't speak to all of the all of the legal information I will just say sister that you do need to be in a situation where you're safe where your children are safe and from there get the help that you need not help can be legal help and and it can also be the help of the local church and so Jane that that that's what I would say I want also pray for you right now so let me let me pray for you right now sister, gracious father in heaven. I pray for Jane. I asked Lord that you would be with her. I pray Lord that you would give her wisdom in this situation. I pray that you would protect her and that you would protect her children. Father, we we know that these situations are complex but but we desperately cry out to you for your mercy. I pray for Jane that you would guide her every step of the way they would provide for the needs that she has an father that you would help her and help her children as well and this time to cling to you to fix their eyes upon you and take to get the support that they need both Lord maybe professional support, but also more support from the local church that there would be a body believers they could come around her and so please be with her. Lord I pray in Jesus name, amen Jane be with you my Lord be with you. Amen. Can you hear me now Israel hey Bill, I can hear you now okay good I can hear myself but I can hear hear.

Okay, okay.

What I offer our listeners something if they are brand-new to this program. It's called the core kit. It's absolutely free and we would love to send it to you, Bill.

Yes, the core kit is something were offering listeners who are wondering what Christianity is all about.

It's a free resource jampacked with items like our DVD find yourself in God story answers to the top three questions we get asked on the show a printed copy of our most read article core, Christianity.com and our Bible reading plan is also more than that. So there's a lot of great resources in our core kit. It can introduce you the best content we have here as an organization that we've heard a lot of testimonials about how these resources have helped and encouraged people in their Christian faith. And so we want to collect them want to collect them all in and put them in one place that we can make it really easy for you, soaked to receive our core kit.

All you have to do is go to court, Christianity.com/kit & up.

You can also call us for that resource or any one of our resources at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to a voicemail that we received here yesterday hello I have a question about Romans chapter 1 interest 26 and 28.

I see the expressions like that gave them up to dishonorable passions to a debased mind to do what not to be done are these scriptures talking only about nonbelievers or can they also apply to believers because in other parts of the Bible said he would not forsake his children to be great if you give us more clarity on these scriptures and can't yeah there is a promise given to us as believers in Hebrews 13 that God will never leave us or forsake us, and that we have to understand the context or the beginning of the book of Romans. Romans is emphasizing Paul is emphasizing here in chapter chapters 1 and two, that the universal sinfulness of humanity. The fact that we all need the gospel are our need for God's grace and so he's talking about people here who reject God's grace and go down this pathway of sin and idolatry who ultimately are given over to a debased mind but but he's not talking about believers here and so that the context is really helpful for God's elect for the children of the living God united to Jesus Christ by faith. They are kept by the power of Jesus. Jesus keeps you here in him and you can rest in that. Thanks for listening to core Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer.

Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together