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In California (North East). Clear waters.
Sometimes God disciplines His children by using the Canaanites of today, which are analogous to the enemies of Israel back then, the tax collectors in the NT, corrupt lawyers, etc.
And yet, we are to treat our enemies as our neighbors, as Christ did to Zacchaeus & Matthew, who were tax collectors, who were seen as manipulators of the law for their own gain, though claim their actions legal, do not serve good purpose of the law.
The liberals love this verse. "It is referring to the poor, the powerless, the needy and the victims", they exclaimed. They have perhaps learned these from their Sunday Schools back when they didn't know what being a liberal means.
Unfortunately, their Sunday School teachers or professors or what have you were wrong. Hence, one of the reason I do not do Bible Study with non-Christians. What I do, even in a fellowship involving non-Christians, is evangelical apologetics. You cannot discuss the details of God's word by pretending you've first accepted and believed in it. Same logical fallacy as one cannot swim without going into the water first. It would make more sense if you didn't realize you were merely dreaming. Christians who think they have done that, either have to completely change ALL their past view of Scripture or invite certain heretical view into their belief system.
Matthew 25:40 has very close connection to Matthew 10:42. As well as Matthew 11:25.
When Christ used "these little ones", he's either referring to literal little children or his disciples. Never was he referring beggars, the poor or the homeless on the streets. Therefore, how the entire world treat the faithful servants of God will be something God take very very seriously of. As these little ones, do not just suffer for Christ, they represent our Lord in His ministry. Apparently, I'm not the only one that have tackled on this. See Sproul's Reformation Study Bible Commentary & in detail: Christianitytoday.
In summary, these passages in Matthew are not about the nature of the gospel, but about response to the gospel. ~ Christianity Today
The reason God does not deal much with humanitarian works in Scripture is obvious: It's something any human ought to have already known. It's a built-in moral compass that does not need revelation. However, the corruption of it, which ALL non-believers are unaware of, requires God's intervention hereafter.
So don't be fooled by the twisted statement: "Even Jesus cared for the poor, etc. when he said if you done to these, you've done it to Me".
In dealing with any human beings in need, we have the famous "love thy neighbor" verse. Which is proper. Otherwise, Jesus' response to those challenging Him of victims of tragedy is this: "Do you think they were more sinful...? No I tell you, but unless you repent, you too will all perish!" (Luke 13:4b-5)
Last but not least, the challenge to Christians is this: How are we truly seen by the world as "these little ones"?
It is my observation that those who demand respect from others, respect others least.
Something from another time. A thing that couldn't have existed yet.
Very detail map and more.
Tracking sharks around the world
Taxotomy: https://sharksrays.org/
General outline:
Sproul recommended some books (On literature) and movies (on Cinematography).
Highlights:
Literature: "Reading between the lines: A Christian Guide to Literature" by Gene Edward Veith
Movies:Started with imaginative radio broadcasting. Assassination of JFK & shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald live on television became the turning point for violence on TV ~ Sproul.
Recommended: A Farewell to Arms, Sergeant York, All Quiet on the Western Front, etc.
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (novel recommended, in reference to length of church building time)
Architecture: Cruciform church (Narthex/Foyer, Nave, Transept, Chancel)
After reading some debates on issues like Brexit, Trump, etc., I've arrived at this conclusion:
When interlocutors talking past each other, one thing can be observed of them:
They are good at talks, writing, but don't usually get their hands dirty. By dirty I don't mean sinfulness, I mean the initiating of their own programs, building their own ministries, running their own businesses, nothing they would have to be held responsible for other than the speech they give. They live through their lives by just giving speeches. Otherwise, it is likely they cannot live more than a few months of waitering, dishwashing or being a cashier, et cetera et cetera.
If they are to be in denial of this, they must note that though there are those whom God called to positions such as theirs, but no where in the Bible does it prescribe such impotence.
A student has been asked to write an essay on the American Native Indians. The student wrote an essay on the Indians in India instead.
S: Teacher, why did you fail me?
T: Your essay is off topic.
S: What off topic? I wrote about the Indians.
T: I asked you to write on the American Indians, the prompt says it very clearly. But you wrote only about the Indians in India, completely off topic.
S: Well, let's see...they are all called Indians.
T: Not the same.
S: Fine, but even Columbus made that mistake.
T: You are the one being graded, not Columbus.
S: Fine, but American Indians, India-Indians, they are all humans, what's the big deal.
T: Fail or pass, they are just grade, what's the big deal.