If Jesus is Loving, Why Is His Judgment So Severe?

Jesus is loving. Why is his judgment so severe that is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with pastor Gabriel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. We would love to hear from you hers. Our phone number it's 833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673 also post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts.

You can watch us on YouTube. You can always email us your question at questions at the core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Paul from Johnston Rhode Island Paul what your question for pastor atrial hello hey Paul what your question now. I am wondering now, when we play God has operated when we go we have to remember that Satan is not omniscient like the true and the living God is Satan that I don't think and can read our minds. He doesn't have that kind of insight into our lives. Although you know what when you when you think about the spiritual battle that were in the evil one does know us well. He wants to know his enemy well and he wants to do whatever he can to get us to turn away from following Christ.

And so I would I would say no you don't talk to Satan hemming in the Gospels you have Jesus rebuking demons and casting demons out.

That kind of thing I think you as we think about spiritual warfare today.

You know, we ought to be committed to prayer and to praying that God would keep us that God would protect us, we can say the Lord rebuke you Satan you know I think about what what Jude says Jude 19 where it talks about the the Archangel there. Michael Jude 19 but when the Archangel Michael contending with the devil was disputing about the body of Moses. He did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said the Lord rebuke you me that that's the hope that we have is it's Christ's victory and what Jesus compass on the cross that doesn't give us confidence against the evil as I would just not focus on talking to or trying to address the evil one artwork being concerned about whether or not he hears you, there is only one devil, and he's not omniscient, and he has minions who are all over the place, but but I wouldn't say that the devil is listening into every conversation that Christians are having.

So Paul, thanks for your question. I'm glad to hear that that is not listening and every conversation that were having a girl that gives me a little piece there.

Yes, there is this is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez would love to hear from you.

If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Give us a call right now at 833 the core there's a voicemail received from one of her listeners earlier this week going or travel and nearly killed him, and he is a believer and I make sure that it journey one welcome. Let me say quick prayer for your father carry Lord we ask for your hand to be on Carrie's father that Lord you would bring healing in his life that during this time, his faith would grow stronger.

Even even as his body grows weaker Lord that more and more he would draw near to you that he would have a sense of your presence in the piece that you give Lord the peace that passes all understanding. Would you be with him, strengthen his faith and set his eyes upon you and and bless and be with the whole family as they go through this difficult season in Christ name, amen. Well, I'm you know I was so sorry to hear about this situation sister the hope that we have is if the souls of believers at their death are made perfect in holiness, they immediately pass into glory in our bodies go down into the ground, awaiting the resurrection of the dead when when our bodies and souls are reunited again in this glorified state but but we do as Christians and you said your dad is a believer, we have that that great hope because of what Jesus has done for us and I and so is as you know you are caring for him and loving him and talking to him about that. The truth of Scripture. I think I think you know having those discussions is something we see in various places in the New Testament is very clear that believers enter into the presence of the Lord at their death.

Then of course that doesn't make death something that we rejoice in know we we we mourn death is the great enemy that Jesus came to conquer and destroy that that's what he rose again from the dead and on the last day. Death is going to be fully and finally conquered the apostle Paul talked about that in first Corinthians 15 and so is you and your family. Meditate on the Scriptures and on the hope that we have in the resurrection of the dead.

I pray that the Lord would give you his peace and I pray that there would also be comfort and the presence of of God spirit for you and for your father thanks you call this is core Christianity with pastor atrial Sanchez.

How often do you pray for your mother and father will.

Today we are offering a great book that reminds us of the importance of praying for our parents that you suggest we think about the fifth commandment to honor your father and your mother.

We we just assume that that applies specifically to kids, you know, little children, but it doesn't apply to adults, but it does apply to each and every one of us and I that's over offering this book by Chelsea Stanley five things to pray for your parents. You know, we often see our parents as those with all the answers, but their people just like us, need of prayer and so this guide will help you to pray in 21 different areas in situations for your mother or father really need a biological or adoptive working or retired. You know this is a great resource to get a hold of this resource to help you honor your parents. Once again it's called five things to pray for your parents will send that to you for donation of any amount@corechristianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers to get Chelsea Stanley's book 5 things to pray for your parents.

You can also call us for that resource or any one of our resources at 833-843-2673. Again, that's 833. The core let's go to Rachel in West Hartford, Connecticut, ritual what your question for pastor atrial.

The Trinity and trying to the questions been raised many times that where Jesus has throughout said that the father is is higher than me and so many question the Trinity because they're all God, how, why would he is that no mission that he is less lesser than then the father and I was hoping that you can fix now. Maybe get some clarity on the Trinity and how it all yeah Rachel thank you so much for that question. And of course in your bring up passages like what Jesus says in John chapter 14 verse 28.

You heard me say to you, I am going away and I will come to you if you loved me you would have rejoice because I'm going to the father for the father is greater than I. And there are some who will look at this verse, no say well you see that this is obviously not the doctrine of the Trinity. How can Jesus say that the father is greater than him when you know that the Orthodox understanding of the Trinity, the belief that I hold is at the father and the son are equal in power and glory that when it comes to their their being worthy of worship. You know the father is not worthy of more worship than the sun know that there one in essence undivided and so there the proper recipients of our praise and and worship so that it's really trying to understand what what do we. How do we make sense of the statements from our Lord Jesus as as we see here in the gospel of John. John chapter 14, well here's how this is best understood in the incarnation, the eternal son of God assumed our humanity. He came as a servant and when he came as a servant in that sense in in that the sort of history of salvation is Jesus came to earth to accomplish redemption by suffering and dying. He was taking on himself. This low position and this is what the apostle Paul talks about in the book of Philippians in Philippians chapter 2 is a something really interesting there and this is one of the places I'd I'd .2 to help you understand this, Rachel. Paul says in in Philippians chapter 2 beginning in verse five have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself.

Now how did he do that by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father and so is a right that you could have this this explanation Jesus can say I thinking in John chapter 14, the father is greater than I. Because in in the economy of salvation and the history of redemption. Jesus took the form of a servant.

That doesn't mean that he's less than the father as to their divinity that that divine nature know Jesus is the second person divine person of the holy Trinity. That's why earlier in the gospel of John and John chapter 5 Rachel Jesus said that all should honor me, just as they honor the father and so and so I would say that's the.

The best way of understanding those passages of Scripture were Jesus says things like the father is greater than I. Something about his is essence in terms of the divine essence he's talking about his relationship to the father in the history of redemption in the economy of salvation.

Thank you for for that call and may God bless you. Thanks much, Rachel. We appreciate having you as a regular listener here at core Christianity. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life.

You can call us 24 hours a day and leave a voicemail at this number 833 the core that's 833-843-2673. And of course you can call us live in the studio every day at 11:30 AM Pacific time or 1230 Mountain 130 Central 230 Eastern time. That's the time you can actually call right into the studio. Al is on the line from Chesterfield, Missouri what your question for pastor atrial regarding guess you would call them secret societies friend goes to a church that has many members of the Mason Senate and the pastor spoke against them and others like that I was just wondering if you could give me some scriptures it would back up the pastor's position.

Well, thank you for that question. You know, we've begun calls before about the Masons.

I guess the big question is, you know are there things that these kinds of societies embrace and believe that contradict the word of God and of course I cannot talk to people who have said well you know the Masons easily believing in God in a higher power in the sort of principles of morality, their very embracing it. As far as that's concerned that the Christian faith is much more specific than that were not just called to believe in morality or in some sort of higher power were called to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. The exclusive message of salvation. Jesus said in John chapter 14 verse six I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. So whatever society were a part of whatever political affiliation we have.

If there are things in that group that contradict the clear teaching of Scripture that contradict what Jesus says, then I think it's the job of pastors and faithful ministers to call that out now. Of course you know some people might say well that's not what we believe are.

That's not what we think and that's why that we have to examine it.

You know what is being said and what is being taught in these groups and what it is, what is it that people are our embracing, you know, as as a part of these as you said secret societies and and I'll just also add that if you know one thing I would say this is the society that we should be most united to and committed to.

As Christians is the local church.

You know, be committed to the people in the body of Christ that the family that God is building around you through the preaching of holy Scripture. I think if we were if we were committed to one another into the local churches, God calls us to be at another. We have excellent has much time for you know secret societies and in meetings like that, you know, I thought I would just encourage people to be committed first and foremost the local church and then certainly above all else to be committed to the Scriptures and and and if there are things that contradict the Scriptures in these groups, then I would say they need to be called out. Thanks Al for your question.

Thanks atrial. This is core Christianity with pastor atrial Sanchez are number if you have a question is 833-843-2670 3833.

The core let's go to Sarah calling in from Missouri sir what your question for pastor atrial call will have anything to say about putting in sleep when you get older their sick struggling with an IQ IS very ill and yet she still currently still struggling through anything that God would have us not to do that to me and will likely don't do humans. I'm really sorry to hear about your cancer and I imagine that that's this is a very difficult decision for you in the Bible doesn't, I would.

I would say speak to this.

Specifically, although one thing I think is clear in Scripture is that cruelty to animals is is wrong we think about God's creation and the blessing that God's creation is including the animals that God has made in and I would say that we give thanks to the Lord for those things and and we want to make sure that were not being cruel to God's creation, including our pets and so I think that if if this is the decision that you think is the right decision for for your cat a I don't think you have to worry about me. You know, am I breaking God's law.

By doing this, I think it sounds to me like you really care for your cat and you don't want her to continue to suffer and so I would say you don't. You don't need to be concerned that you and your breaking some sort of law in in doing this, one of God's laws. In particular, and I pray that the Lord just comforts you and gives you a clear conscience about whatever decision it is that you do make this is core Christianity.

You can email us your question at this address its questions at core, Christianity.com Robert emailed us and here's what he ask. He says I know that the Bible says there's only one sin that's unforgivable. But Jesus seems to be pretty stern and direct about causing someone to stumble in their faith. How would you explain Matthew 18 six. What comfort does someone have if they have caused the teenager to walk away from the church and act as though they want nothing to do with God anymore… Go to Matthew and read the text that you refer to. Beginning in verse five. Matthew 18. Five whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world for temptations to sin, for it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes in. If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or 2 feet to be thrown into the eternal fire, and if your eye causes you to sin, tarried out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. Very strong language from the lips of our Lord Jesus, you know, Jesus didn't play games when it came to sin. Oftentimes, people today do. Oftentimes today we minimize sin that the things that we do that hurt others. We say it's not that big of a deal. It's not that bad.

Jesus did not do that. He said sin deserves hell fire. It is sin against a holy God the eternal one that the King of heaven and earth and all sin deserves God's wrath and punishment in here. In particular, Jesus is warning against those who not only sin themselves, but lead others the vulnerable down the path of unrighteousness lead them astray. This is one of the reasons why God is so against false teachers in the Bible because not only do they sin, but they lead others astray. Second Peter talks about this as well and it sounds to me like you've done something that has caused someone to be led astray, and that is a grievous thing now the hope that we have is that as long as there is breath in our lungs we can repent, by the grace of God and so the hope you use it what what hope does someone have was done something terrible to me is the same hope that David had after he killed Bathsheba's husband and took her in an adulterous affair. It's the same hope that Peter had when he denied the Lord and afterwards was restored by the Lord or Saul had after a period of really causing Christians to stumble. Going against the church and dragging people to prison. And Jesus, knocking him off of his horse and saying, repent for repentant sinners. There is always hope.

Now there are consequences to our sins and we can choose our sin, but we can always choose our consequences and and sometimes those consequences are the devastating effects of the sin that we've committed has on other people and so that's just that's just the reality.

And it's tragic. It doesn't mean that we cannot go to the Lord and confess those sins and seek to make things right is much as is possible, and in a situation like this. It sounds to me like the right thing to do is not to go back to this person. It would be to be no face the consequences. It it depending on what what the issue is you know you could turn yourself into the authorities. Or maybe that's already happened. Maybe those consequences have already been dealt out. But when we go to the Lord broken over our sin, contrite of heart recognizing the gravity of it and Jesus again. He doesn't pull any punches when he talks about how serious sin is when we understand that this is a heavy thing than we cast ourselves upon the gospel and we say God the only hope I have is in the blood of your son and were not for the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the eternal son of God. I know that I would. I would be lost forever.

You have to focus on the sufficiency of Christ's blood. The purity of Christ's blood. The hope that the gospel gives as you turn toward God in repentance.

And that's something that each and about each and every one of us needs to do because we all sin in different ways and we all experience a different consequences of sin and we can wallow in our in our failure in the that the things that we've done, but repentance is more than just wallowing. It's looking up and laying hold of Christ and of the forgiveness that he offers and then living in light of that reality. And so may the Lord give you the grace to do that your listing to core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez, just a reminder that we have that offer today.

Chelsea Stanley's book. Five things to pray for your parents will teach you how to pray for your mom and dad. You can get that for a donation of any amount by going to core Christianity.com/offers real-time for one more question Todd from Iowa was on the line tub just got about a minute left, what your question in Jeremiah and Ezekiel how the millennial kingdom kingdom. The separation of the kingship of the priest to show the order and I agree. Wow, that's a very complex question and then it sort of assumes right that the the millennial kingdom is to be a literal thousand year reign on the earth in the future and just to say really quickly tub. There are different different views on this. There is one view that Christ is actually presently raining right now if I get better first 2015 says it is raining right now in the midst of his enemies, subduing them he is as you know, Hebrews chapter 7 the ultimate King priest and he has fully and finally at the cross, conquered his enemies, but were in the sort of already, not yet. Where we're experiencing the benefits of Jesus's work. We were were already tasting of the kingdom, and yet were looking forward to the consummation of the kingdom which were not can it not been experience until the very last day until the final judgment.

But Jesus is that great king and priest that we put our hoping that we trust in and in our confidence. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers in the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673.

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