Part 7
The Third Period of Galilean Ministry
LXII. The Syrophoenician Woman (Mt 15:21-31; Mk 7:24-37)
LXIII. Feeding Four Thousand and A Sign from Heaven
(Mt 15:32-16:12; Mk 8:1-21)
LXIV. Peter's Confession and Christ's Death and Resurrection
Foretold (Mt 16:13-28; Mk 8:22-9:1; Lk 9:18-27)
LXV. The Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-13; Mk 9:2-13; Lk 9:28-36)
LXVI. The Demoniac Boy, and Christ's Coming Passion Reinforced
(Mt 17:14-27; Mk 9:14-32; Lk 9:37-45)
LXVII. Forgiveness of Others and Humility as Children
(Mt 18:1-35; Mk 9:33-50; Lk 9:46-50)
The Third Period of Galilean Ministry
LXII. The Syrophoenician Woman (Mt 15:21-31; Mk 7:24-37)
And rising up Jesus went away, going out from there and withdrawing
into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered into a house, desiring
that no man would know it, but he could not be hidden. And behold, immediately
a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, whose little daughter
had an unclean spirit, and having heard of him, she came and fell down
at his feet. Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race, and
she cried, saying, "Have pity and compassion on me, O lord, thou Son of
David; my daughter is being grievously and vehemently possessed, afflicted
and vexed with a devil or demon." But he answered her not a word. And then
his disciples came and besought him, saying, "Dismiss or send her away;
for she is vociferating or crying out after us." But he answered and said,
"I have not been sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But she came and worshipped him, saying, "Lord, help me!" And she besought
him much that he would cast forth or expel the devil out of her daughter.
Then he answered and said unto her, "First let, permit or allow the children
to be fed, filled and satisfied: for it is not proper to take the children's
bread and toss it to the dogs or curs." [Jews considered Gentiles dogs.]
But she answered and said unto him, "Yea, Lord: but even the little dogs
underneath the table are always eating of the children's bits, crumbs
and morsels falling from their lord's eating-table." [The Alexandrian Text
has: "they are always eating" 3rd person plural present indicative; the
Received Text has: "you are always eating" 2nd person singular present
indicative. The first choice is more correct in this context. See appendix
"A."] And then Jesus answered and said unto her, "O woman, great is your
faith; because of this your saying, let it be done unto you even as you
are desiring. Be going your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter
and she is free." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. And
the woman went away unto her house, and found the child lying upon the bed,
and the demon was gone.
And Jesus departed again from there, leaving the borders of
Tyre, and came through Sidon, nigh unto the sea of Galilee, through the
midst of the borders of Decapolis. And going up into the mountain, he
sat there. And there came unto him great multitudes, having with themselves
the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and they cast them down
at the feet of Jesus and he healed them insomuch that the multitudes wondered
when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, and the lame walking,
and the blind seeing: and they glorified, magnified or extolled the virtues
of the God of Israel.
And they brought unto him one that was deaf, and who had a
speech impediment; and they begged him that he would lay his hand upon
him. And he privately took him aside from the crowd, and thrust his fingers
into his ears, and spitting he touched his tongue; and looking up into
heaven, he inwardly sighed, and said unto him in Aramaean, "Ephphatha,"
which means, "be thou opened." And instantly his ears were opened, and
the bond of his tongue was loosened, and he spoke rightly and plainly.
And Jesus charged them that they should tell no one: but the more he charged
them, so much the more they abundantly published it. And they were astonished
beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well: he makes even the
deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak."
LXIII. Feeding Four Thousand and A Sign from Heaven (Mt 15:32-16:12;
Mk 8:1-21)
In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and
they had had nothing to eat, Jesus called near unto himself his disciples
and said unto them, "I am moved with pity and compassion over the multitude,
because they are continuing and remaining with me now three days, and
they do not have or possess anything at all that they may eat. I do not
want to send them away fasting. If I dismiss or send them away unto their
home fasting, they may become weary and will faint on the way; for some
of them have come from afar." And his disciples answered and said unto
him, "From where can we get for us so many loaves for these here, and how
will anyone be able to fill and satisfy so great a multitude with bread
here in a desert?" And Jesus asked them, "How many loaves do you have?"
And they said, "Seven - and a few small fish." And he ordered the multitude
to recline on the ground: and taking the seven loaves, and having given
thanks, he broke them, and gave unto his disciples to set before them; and
the disciples set them before the multitude. And since they had a few small
fish: having blessed them, he commanded to set these also before them. And
they did all eat and were filled: and they took up of broken pieces which
remained over, seven hand-baskets full. And they that did eat were about
four thousand men, beside women and children: and then he sent the multitude
away.
And immediately he entered into a boat with his disciples,
and came into the parts of Dalmanutha near the borders of Magadan. And
both the Pharisees and Saducees came forth, mischievously proving him
and putting him to the test; and they began to argue with him, seeking
after and asking for him to show them evidential proof, or a convincing
token from heaven. And sighing deeply in his spirit he answered, saying
unto them, "When sunset occurs, you are saying, "Fair weather and clear
skies: for the sky is red." And in early morning, you are saying, "Stormy
weather today: for the sky is red and lowering." Hypocrites! You are indeed
skilled and masterful to discriminately discern the appearance of the sky;
but you are not able to discern the signs of the seasons marked by characteristic
circumstances as this signal juncture is. Why does this generation seek
a sign? An evil, malignant, impious, wicked and spiritually adulterous,
faithless, ungodly generation is requiring or demanding a sign. Truly I
say unto you, there will be no received sign given or presented unto this
generation but the unobserved sign of Jonah the prophet." And he forsook
them, departing with his disciples.
And entering again into the boat they came to the other side;
but for one loaf they forgot to take enough bread; and they had not more
than that one loaf with them in the boat. And Jesus charged, saying unto
them, "Observe and mark this: watch out, shun and beware: avoid the leaven
of the Pharisees and Saducees, and the leaven of Herod [re: Herodians]."
And they deliberated with one another and reasoned among themselves, saying,
"It is because we took no bread and therefore we have none." And Jesus
perceiving it said unto them, "You all of scant, weak, little faith! Why
do you reason and deliberate among yourselves "because you have taken no
bread?" You are not yet observing and clearly perceiving, neither thoroughly
comprehending and understanding. You are still becoming dense, callous and
unimpressible in your mind. Having intellectual eyes, you are not seeing;
and having ears, you are not hearing, and not remembering. When I broke the
five loaves among the five thousand - are you now perceiving and recalling
how many baskets full of broken pieces you did take up?" They said unto him,
"Twelve." And when I broke the seven loaves among the four thousand, how
many hand-baskets filled with broken pieces did you take up?" And they said
unto him, "Seven." And he said unto them, "How is it that you are not thoroughly
comprehending and understanding? How does it come to pass that you do not
clearly perceive that I spoke not to you concerning bread? But beware of
the leaven (the system of thinking, doctrine, morals and conduct) of the
Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they understood that he bade them not beware
of the leaven of bread, but of the instruction, doctrine or teaching of
the Pharisees and Sadducees.
LXIV. Peter's Confession and Christ's Death and Resurrection Foretold
(Mt 16:13-28; Mk 8:22-9:1; Lk 9:18-27)
And they came again unto Bethsaida. And there was brought unto
Jesus a blind man, and they begged him to touch him. And he took hold
of the blind man by the hand, and brought him outside of the village;
and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked
him, "Do you see anything?" And the man looked up and said, "I see men;
for I behold them as trees walking about." Then again he laid his hands
upon his eyes; and the man looked steadfastly, and was restored, seeing
all things clearly. And Jesus sent him away unto his home, saying, "You
may not enter into the village, nor may you tell anyone in the village."
Now Jesus and his disciples went forth and came into the parts
and villages of Caesarea Philippi. And it came to pass, as he was praying
within himself on the way, that he interrogated, inquired, questioned
or asked of his disciples, saying unto them, "What are the multitudes
of men saying of me, the Son of Man, to be?" And they answered and told
him, saying, "Some: John the Baptist; and some others: Elijah; and others
besides these: Jeremiah - or a certain one of the old prophets risen again."
And he asked, saying unto them, "And all of you, who are you saying me
to be?" And Simon Peter answered and said unto him, "You are the Christ
- the Messiah - the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said
unto him, "You are happy, blessed and fortunate, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh
and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father in the heavens.
And I also now say unto you, that you are a rock (kephas), and upon this
rock (kephas) I will establish and construct my Church; and the gates of
hades - the nether world and its powers of destruction and dissolution
- shall not overpower her. [Petros is the Greek rendering of the Aramaic
surname Kephas given to Simon in John 1:42, and therefore it has the same
sense as the Greek word petra. The sayings of Jesus in Matthew were originally
in Aramaic - not Greek. The following context also supports this interpretation.
Therefore Simon is also the second rock referred to above - not Christ.]
And I will give, bestow, present, entrust and commit to your charge the
keys to the kingdom of the heavens (as the symbol of power and authority):
and whatsoever you may pronounce or declare to be binding and obligatory,
or prohibited and unlawful upon the earth, will be, having been already
pronounced or declared to be binding and obligatory, or prohibited and unlawful
in the heavens; and whatsoever you may declare free regarding privileges
or with respect to lawfulness upon earth, will be, having been already declared
free in the heavens [e.g. Peter will act according to the leading of the
Holy Spirit]." And then he charged his disciples, commanding, interdicting
and prohibiting that they should tell no one that he is Jesus the Christ
or the Messiah.
And from that time on Jesus began to teach them, showing unto his disciples
how that he must go away into Jerusalem, saying, "It behoves the Son
of Man to be affected [Isaiah chapters 52:13-53:12], and to suffer and
endure many cruel, evil things, and to be disallowed his claim of derivation
and origination from heaven - all at the hands of the elders and the chief
priests and the scribes - and to be disfigured [Isaiah 52:14], rendered
unrecognizeable and killed, and the third day to rise - be raised up from
the dead." And he said this thing openly: so that (moments after his brilliant
declaration) Simon Peter, taking him aside unto himself for to address
him, began to remonstrate with him, saying, "God forbid! Far be it from
you, Lord: This will never be unto you." But Jesus, turning his back to
him while beholding his disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind me,
opponent, enemy or adversary! You are a spring-trap, stumblingblock and
impediment unto me: for you are not inclined toward, set upon, or minding
the things of God, but the things of men." And he called unto himself the
crowd that was gathering with his disciples and he said unto them all,
"If anyone, whosoever of you, is desiring to come after me, let him disregard
or renounce himself, participating in the results of this action, and take
up and bear his cross daily - being ready to encounter any extremity -
and let him imitate and follow me as a disciple. For whosoever would desire
to save or preserve his life from being lost, will lose or be deprived
of it; and whosoever should lose or be deprived of his life on my account,
for my sake, or by reason of me and the Gospel, this one and the same person
shall find, realize or gain it, and save or preserve it from being lost.
For, what help, profit or benefit will it be to a man, if he should gain
or acquire possession of the whole entire world, while nullifying or ruining
himself in the process, and potentially receiving loss and forfeiture of
his life? Or what will a man give in exchange as compensation or equivalent
ransom for his life? For whosoever might be, or is, ashamed of me and
my words in this spiritually adulterous, faithless, ungodly and depraved
generation, this one the Son of Man also will be ashamed of when he comes
in his glory; for the Son of Man is about to come with the glory of his
Father and with the glory of his holy angels; and then he will address
all claim and expectation, and render what is due unto every man, separately,
according to his actions, deeds, ways, practices and behavior." [II Thessalonians
1:5-10] And he said unto them, "Truly I say unto you, there are those -
some of you - standing here who will in no way experience the taste of
death, or die, until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom [Palm
Sunday], and until they shall see, observe or witness the kingdom of God
having come with power [Pentecost]."
LXV. The Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-13; Mk 9:2-13; Lk 9:28-36)
And it came to pass about six to eight days after these sayings
that Jesus went and took with him Peter, and James, and John his brother,
and brought them up into a high mountain apart by themselves to pray. And
as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance became altered, and
his form did change as he was transfigured in their presence; and his
face did shine as the sun; and his glistering garments became whiter than
snow and dazzling as light, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. And
behold, there appeared unto them two men talking together with Jesus: Moses
and Elijah - who appeared in glory, and spoke about his departure and
decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and they
that were with him were drowsy with sleep: but when they were fully awake,
they saw his glory, and that of the two men that stood with him. And it
came to pass as they were parting from him, that Peter said unto Jesus,
"Lord and Master, it is delightful and pleasant for us to remain here in
this place: if you are willing, maybe we can construct here in this place
three temporary tabernacles - one for you, and one for Moses, and one for
Elijah," not knowing what he was saying; for they did not know how to respond;
for they became very fearful. While he was yet speaking these things, behold,
there came a bright, radiant, lustrous cloud overshadowing them, and they
feared as they entered into the cloud: and behold, there came a voice out
of the cloud, saying, "This is my dear, beloved Son, my Approved and Chosen
in whom I take delight or pleasure: heedfully hear and obey him." And when
the disciples heard it, they fell on their face and became greatly afraid
and alarmed. And after the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And lifting
up their eyes and suddenly looking round about they saw no one any more
save Jesus only with themselves. And Jesus came near and touched them and
said, "Rise up, and be not alarmed or afraid while receiving and participating
in the results of this action." And they relaxed and held their peace,
and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.
And as they were preparing to come down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them that they should tell no one the things that they
had seen. He commanded, saying, "Tell the vision unto no one until the
Son of Man should rise from the dead." And they kept the saying, debating
among themselves what the rising from the dead should mean. And his disciples
questioned him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that it is necessary
for Elijah to come first?" And answering Jesus said unto them, "Elijah
is indeed prior to and coming first, and will restore or prepare all.
It has been written with respect of, in the case of, or against the Son
of Man, that he should suffer many things, and should be denigrated, despised,
contemned, and treated with contempt and scorn. But I say unto you that
Elijah has before now come and already passed, and they discerned, recognized
and acknowledged him not, but did unto him whatsoever they wanted, even
as it has been written of him. In this way also the Son of Man is on the
verge of suffering and enduring harm by their instrumentality [Psalm 22:1-21]."
Then the disciples understood that he spoke unto them concerning John
the Baptist.
LXVI. The Demoniac Boy, and Christ's Coming Passion Reinforced (Mt
17:14-27; Mk 9:14-32; Lk 9:37-45)
And it came to pass on the next day as they were coming down
from the mountain, that when they had come unto the rest of the disciples,
they saw a great multitude milling round about them, and some scribes
were disputing and caviling with those disciples. And immediately when
they had come unto the multitude, all the multitude saw Jesus, and they
were greatly amazed, and running up to him they met and greeted him. And
he asked the scribes, "What are you disputing and caviling with them over?"
And behold, there came and cried out aloud unto him one man out of the
multitude there, who answered while kneeling unto him, saying, "Lord
and Teacher, I beseech you to have pity and compassion on my son and look
him over; for he is my only child. And look, I brought him unto you, because
having a dumb spirit, wheresoever it decides to seize or take possession
of him, he suddenly cries out as it is throwing him down on the ground!
He is a lunatic and is suffering grievously: for he is frequently falling
into the fire, and often into the water, and it scarcely lets go of him
without debilitating him and depriving him of strength; and it convulses
him so that he is frothing and foaming at the mouth, and he is gnashing
and grinding his teeth and is pining away. And I told your disciples and
brought him unto them, and begged them that they might cast it out; but
they were unable to cure him and they prevailed not - they could not minister
unto him at all."
And Jesus addressed them, saying, "O unbelieving, faithless,
perverted and corrupted generation with no confidence in any one! How
long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring your son:
conduct him here unto me." And they brought or conducted the boy near
unto him: and as he was yet a coming, the demon saw Jesus and it immediately
threw the boy down and violently convulsed him, distorting him grievously;
and falling down upon the ground he wallowed and rolled in pain while
frothing and foaming at the mouth. And Jesus interrogated his father,
"How long has it been since this started happening to him?" And he said,
"From childhood. And many times it has thrown him both into the fire
and into the waters in order that it might kill him: but if you are intrinsically
and absolutely able to do anything, being moved with pity and compassion
for us, hurry to our aid. Succor and help us." And Jesus said unto him,
"Whether you are intrinsically and absolutely able to believe or not:
all things are possible and capable of being done unto the one faithing
and believing!" Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears,
saying, "I believe, Lord! You assist, aid or help me with my lack of trust
and confidence or state of unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that the multitude
was pressing in, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto it, "Dumb
and deaf spirit, I charge you: come out from him, and you may no more
enter into or take possession of him." And crying out with great agitation
and convulsion, the demon went, coming out from him: and the boy passed
out and became as if dead, insomuch that the greater part of the people
said, "He is dead." But Jesus, taking him by the hand, raised him up: he
healed the boy as he stood up; and he was cured from that very hour. Jesus
gave him back unto his father while all were marvelling at all the things
which he did, and they were all astonished at the majesty of God.
And when Jesus entered into a house, then came his disciples
apart, and said unto him privately, "We were not able to cast it out."
And then they questioned him, saying, "Why were we not able to cast him
out?" And he said unto them, "Because of your lack of trust and confidence,
and unbelieving faithlessness. For truly I say unto you, if you have
or possess faith like as a grain of mustard, you will say unto this mountain,
"Be removed from here to there; and it will go: and nothing will be impossible
for you. But this kind, type or species is not cast out, or is able to
vacate in the presence of no one, unless accompanied by the instrumentality
or efficient means of prayer and fasting."
And they went forth from there and passed through Galilee;
and Jesus desired not that any man should know it. And while they were
gathering themselves together to stay in Galilee, he taught his disciples,
saying unto them, "Retentively and attentively listen, giving audience
to these words, and let them sink into your ears [e.g. this is important]:
for the Son of Man is about to be handed over - delivered into the hands
of men; and they will kill him; and on the third day he will be raised."
And they became exceedingly grieved, distressed and sorrowful. And so
he reinforced it, by saying, "The Son of Man is being delivered up and
handed over into the hands of men; and they will kill him, and having
been killed, on the third day he will rise up and participate in its results."
But they understood not this saying; for having been concealed from them,
they could not perceive it: and they were afraid to ask him about it.
Now when they arrived in Capernaum, they that received the
half-shekel came to Simon Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay
the half-shekel?" And Simon Peter said, "Yeah!" And when he entered
into the house where Jesus was, Jesus, anticipating, spoke unto him first,
saying, "What do you think, Simon? The kings of the earth: from whom are
they collecting impost or tax - from their sons or from foreigners?" And
when Peter said, "From foreigners." Jesus said unto him, "Then it is a
fact that the sons are exempt. But lest we happen to offend them, it is
expedient that you, having gone unto the sea, cast a hook. Take the fish
coming up first, and opening its mouth, you shall find a shekel: taking
that, give it unto them both for me and for you."
LXVII. Forgiveness of Others and Humility as Children (Mt 18:1-35;
Mk 9:33-50; Lk 9:46-50)
In that hour came the rest of the disciples into the house
unto Jesus; but there had arisen a reasoning among them while they were
on the way of which of them should be the greatest. So he questioned them,
"What were you all reasoning, disputing and contending amongst yourselves
on the way?" For he had seen the reasoning of their hearts, that they had
contended and disputed one with another on the way over who the greatest
would be. But they held their peace with one another and did not answer.
And John answered, saying unto him, "Teacher, Master, we saw someone casting
out devils in your Name who is not following us; and we hindered, prevented,
restrained and forbade him because he is not following with us." So Jesus
said unto him, "Do not hinder, prevent, restrain or forbid him: for there
is no one who will do, accomplish or perform a work of power in my Name,
and be easily or readily able to revile, verbally abuse, assail with reproaches,
or speak evil of me. For he who is not against us, is for us: and whosoever
may give you even so much as a cup of water to drink in my Name, because
you are of Christ, truly I say unto you, in no way will he lose or be deprived
of his reward."
Finally, one of the disciples asked, "Who then is greatest
in the kingdom of heaven?" Then Jesus sat down and called the twelve
unto himself, and said unto them, "If anyone is desiring to be chief,
he will be lowest of all, and servant of all." And he summoned a little
child, and taking him he set him by his side in their midst, and embracing
him he said unto them, "Truly I say unto you, unless you should all change
your course of principle and conduct, and should be converted and become
like as the little children, you can not in any way enter into the kingdom
of the heavens. [Simple child-like trust in Christ is required to be able
to enter.] And the one being lowly, humble and least among you all, this
same one will be great. Therefore, whosoever shall depress or suppress their
pride and humble themselves in order to be like as this child, this one is
the greater in the kingdom of the heavens.
"And on the one hand, whoever shall kindly receive, welcome,
grant access to, or admit out of such little children one such like
child of this kind or sort in respect for my Name as the Author of The
Faith, is receiving me: and whosoever shall kindly admit, welcome and
receive me, is not merely receiving me, but is receiving also the One
sending me. On the other hand, whoever may cause one of these little ones
believing into me to morally stumble, falter or err, it is more conducive
to advantage, profitable and expedient for him that he should receive
a colossal ass-turned millstone for to be hung upon or suspended from
around his neck for execution, and he were to be cast or plunged into
and submerged in the depth of the open sea. Woe and alas, unto the world,
derived or originating from the causes and occasions of sinning! For it
is a necessity for the causes and occasions of sinning to come; but nevertheless,
woe and alas unto that individual through whom the cause or occasion of
sinning is coming! See to it that you do not disparagingly contemn, scorn
or despise one of these little ones; for I say unto you that in heaven,
all their angels, while subject, are always beholding the countenance of
my Father who is in the heavens; But the Son of Man came to save that which
is stray and lost. What do you think? If there should be to a certain man
an hundred sheep, and one of them should wander about and become stray,
does he not leave the ninety and nine, going upon the hills, seeking and
looking for the one straying? And if he should happen to find it, truly
I say unto you that he is rejoicing over it more greatly than over the
ninety and nine that were not wandering about or straying. [See the Prodigal
Son parable and how the father relates to the two sons in the end.] Even
so it is not the will in the sight or estimation of your Father who is
in heaven that one of these little ones should perish and participate in
the results of such a fate.
"Now if your hand is continually causing you to morally stumble,
cut it off and throw it away from you: it is better or more profitable
for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having your
two hands and to be cast away into the continuing unquenchable fire of
Gehenna, where their gnawing anguish has no end, and the fire is never
extinguished. And if your foot is continually causing you to morally
stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you: it is better or more profitable
for you to enter into life deprived of a foot, rather than having your
two feet and to be cast into the continuing unquenchable fire of Gehenna,
where their gnawing anguish has no end, and the fire is never extinguished.
And if your eye is continually causing you to morally stumble, pluck or
tear it out and throw it away from you: it is better or more profitable
for you to enter into life in the kingdom of God deprived of an eye, rather
than having two eyes and to be cast into the fire of Gehenna, where their
gnawing anguish has no end, and the fire is never extinguished. [A man's
body parts are precious to him. So is sin to the sinner. Sin prevents salvation.
Gehenna, properly, the Valley of Hinnom, is here a picture of the fires
of a very real hell, waiting for the unbeliever who refuses to repent,
cut off, and let go of his sin in order to get saved. Amputation here indicates
the extent of seriousness with which that sin is to be viewed, and how
painful it is to let go, but amputation is not actually carried out in
practice as a work having redeeming or salvific value. It means you must
earnestly separate yourself from your love affair with the impediment of
sin in repentance so you can be saved. It is not salvation by works, but
a qualifying adjustment; but it still must be done to demonstrate genuine
repentance (Luke 19:8-9). One cannot become saved while at the same time
clutching or clinging to pet sins he values as much as salvation. True
repentance means that all known sin must be repudiated if and when coming
to Christ. After salvation, avoidance and prevention are certainly virtues,
so diligence in recognizing triggers to formerly prized sins is key
to success as a new believer (Matthew 5:29-30). Daily maintenance is
also necessary (1st John 1:7,9). Frequent uncontrolled, unpunished, habitual
sin may indicate a lack of salvation in some, or if divine discipline
for that sin is present, that a believer is walking in carnality. Part
of bearing one's cross is putting to death the self-life, and this also
involves forsaking sin. Then applies what follows below - you are preserved
by the subsequently indwelling Holy Spirit.]
"But all will be salted, seasoned and preserved by salting
with fire, and every sacrifice will be salted, seasoned and preserved
by salting with salt: Salt is useful; but if that salt becomes insipid,
with what will you season or make savory in or during preparation? You all
are possessing and holding or retaining salt in yourselves. [All believers
will be taught, kept, influenced and empowered by means of the indwelling
Holy Spirit. Inculcation with Truth preserves and aids the functionality of
the believer. Gospel truth over time along with the aforementioned indwelling
Holy Spirit qualifies all recipients who reach maturity for undeserved suffering
which will purify believers, while building endurance, perseverance and
character. All works are acceptable when done with proper motives in accordance
with Gospel truth. Salt preserves, makes men thirsty, and burns in the
open wounds of sin. The compromise of Gospel truth neutralizes or negates
your effectiveness in, and influence over the world as a believer. Gospel
truth in conjunction with the indwelling Holy Spirit that follows, both
in the believer, are each the source of power for our effectiveness in,
and influence over the world. Both must be inside the believer to be effective.
Thus we continually inculcate ourselves with the Truth of the Gospel over
time, and continually maintain our fellowship with God through the Holy
Spirit by doing right obeying Christ, and keeping our sins confessed. Simply
put: Every believer is preserved by the Spirit; every work is preserved
by the Truth. Truth is useful and the Spirit is powerful, but both become
ineffective when compromised, and thus the believer then becomes effectively
neutralized. Both must be in you, and it is up to you to maintain their functionality
by making yourself consistently available to their influence by the regular
act of will.]
"Also, cultivate peace concord and harmony with one another.
Now if your brother should be guilty of wrong against you, you go and
reprove or rebuke him between you and he alone: if he should heed and
obey you, you have won over your brother from estrangement. But if he
should not heed and obey you, then take with you in addition one or two
more, so that by the word or speech of two or three judicial deponents
or witnesses every matter, affair or verbal exchange might be confirmed
or proven. And if he should fail to give ear, neglect obedience and callously
disregard them, then you explain or tell it to the congregation: and if
he should even refuse to listen, neglect to obey, and callously disregard
the congregation also, then let him be unto you just like as the unsaved
heathen and the despised revenuer. Truly I say unto you, whatsoever you
may pronounce to be binding or obligatory, and declare to be prohibited
and unlawful, upon the earth, will be, having been already pronounced to
be binding or obligatory, and declared to be prohibited and unlawful in
heaven; and whatsoever you may declare free regarding privileges or with
respect to lawfulness upon the earth, will be, having been already declared
free in heaven [meaning we will be acting in accord with the will of
God by virtue of the indwelling Holy Spirit's control]. Again I say unto
you, that if two of you should make an agreement or be in accord upon
the earth about, concerning or respecting any matter or affair whatever
they may request or desire while participating in the results of this
action, it will come to pass, be produced, occur, take place, happen, or
be done for them from my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three
are, having been already assembled, convened, or gathered together in my
Name as the Author of the Faith, I am there in their midst or among them.
Then Simon Peter came up to him and said, "Lord, how often
or how many times will my brother be guilty of wrong or sin against me
and I will pass over, remit or forgive him - up until seven times?" Then
Jesus said unto him, "I say not unto you, "Up until seven times," but,
"Up until seventy times seven." For this reason the kingdom of the heavens
can be compared or likened unto a man - a king - who decided to reckon
for payment or take account with his slaves. And he commencing to adjust
accounts, one debtor who owed him a myriad - thirty million shekels - was
brought near unto him. And he not having the ability to repay, his lord
commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and the children, and all as much
as he had, and the debt to be repaid. Then falling down prostrate, the slave
was reverencing and paying homage unto him, saying, "Lord, forbear and exercise
patience upon me in clemency and I will repay all unto you." And the lord
of that slave, compassionating, loosed or released him from his burden
and remitted or forgave him the debt or loan. But that slave happened
upon one of his fellow-slaves who was owing and indebted unto him of
one hundred agorot: and apprehending him, he seized him by the throat
and throttled him, saying, "Give back unto me that which you are owing."
Then falling down prostrate before his feet his fellow slave was imploring
and begging him, saying, "Forbear and exercise patience upon me in clemency
and I will repay unto you all." But he was unwilling: but put him away
into prison until he should give back that having been already owed. And
his fellow slaves seeing that happening - they became exceedingly grieved,
distressed and sorrowful; and coming they made all known unto their lord,
telling plainly all that was happening. Then his lord summoned him near
unto himself, saying unto him, "You evil, wicked slave! I forgave you all
that indebtedness you owed because you implored, besought and begged me!
Is it not obligatory, binding, necessary and proper for you also to commiserate
with, show gracious favor towards, and have pity, mercy and compassion
on your fellow slave, even as I had mercy, pity and compassion, and showed
gracious favor and saving mercy towards you?" And his lord becoming angry,
indignant and enraged, handed him over unto the warden until he should
repay all that having been formerly due him. Thus, in this way also my
heavenly Father will deal with each of you all, unless each one of you
can forgive his brother their trespasses, faults, transgressions and offenses
against you from your hearts."