Can anyone explain Romans 9 in the Bible?
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It's one of those many paradoxes in the Bible.  I do believe in God knowing all things, but the act of love requires a wanting to choose rather than a forced allegiance.  How can one explain the mind of God in this?  Only that in his perfect plan, he chose to give us the opportunity to choose Him out of love.  I know that it seemingly appears to be double faced, but why do we as Christians demand that God make sense to our particular intellectual understanding?\n\nAlso, the English language is a detriment to scriptures.  You almost have to understand the original texts to understand what is being said in the different passages.\n\nAs I have stated on these blogs, I like the Hebrews passages that quote the Isaiah passages that say that the law will be written on our hearts and minds.  So in your prayer life start asking God to reveal His truth in your heart.  Ask, Seek and Knock...
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Romans 12:19  \n\n    19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
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These verses aren't saying the same things at all, and you aren't understanding them because you are looking at them out of context.  These are all from the NRS.\n\nGen 3:  14 The Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel."\n\n16 To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."\nhttp://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Genesis+2&section=0&version=nrs&new=1&oq=&NavBook=ge&NavGo=2&NavNextChapter=%3E%3E&NavCurrentChapter=2\n\nHere in Genesis 3:16, YHVH is telling Eve that her punishment for eating of the Tree of Knowledge is to have pain during childbirth, and yet to still desire sexual relations with her husband in spite of it; that her husband will rule over her on account of her desire for sexual relations with him.\n\nGen 4: 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.\n\n6 The Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it." \nhttp://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=ge+4&version=nrs&language=en&showtools=0\n\nHere, in Gen 4:7, YHVH is telling Cain that if he does good things he will be happy; that Cain should desire to do good things because good things desire Cain to make good things manifest.  But evil things also desire Cain to make evil things manifest, and so Cain must learn to control himself - to gain mastery over himself - in order to differentiate between good and evil, and then presumably choose good over evil because man's natural state is godlike and therefore good.
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You've got it mixed up. This is the actual scripture:\n\nFor God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.\n\nNowhere does it say God killed Jesus.\n\nGod gave his Son to the people to show His eternal Love for us. \n\nThe misguided people killed Jesus.
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What? Jesus never said lets leave Judah. What? all the prophets say Israel will "win" in the last days. What> jesus said you wont see me again untill the last days as he assended . What? yet he appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus (the very man that hates jesuses followers)and gives him a plan to bring jesus to the heathens .    Jesus revealed many things to his disiples he never said this man would come along and set the way the new formed congregations (or there even should be congregations) conduct there buisiness. Once established, being set aside from judah, being involved in war and oppression ever since and Judah has been the victim many times ,but now Israel is home Christianity will be used to defend Judah and its rights till the final day. What an interesting arena   this human game is being played out in. I wish I was around to see the Dinosaur game being played! All 66 books are important, probably even more! (ps  ------  try to establish who wrote the scripts for the opposing players oh if you believe somthing  you just end up trying to prove what you belive and will have trouble really seeing the facts)  love to all
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For by grace are we saved through faith and not of ourselves, it is the gift of GOD not of works lest any man should boast. (Eph 2:8-9)\n  Paul coming out of law probably understood the danger's of mixing law and grace better than anyone else. Paul speaks more on the subject of grace vs the law than anything else that he talked about. GOD must do all the work within us... anyone who trust's in their own works to make them righteous will only become frustrated at best...\n  The central theme contained in the epistle to the Galatians was a stern warning not to mix law and grace. \nFor we through the SPIRIT wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.(Gal 5:5) Anyone who trusts in his or her works to make them righteous in addition to what CHRIST has already done on the cross will stay in spiritual kindergarten the duration of their walk... For I have been crucified with CHRIST, it is no longer I who live but CHRIST lives in me; the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the SON OF GOD who loved me and gave himself up for me. I do not frustrate the grace of GOD for if righteousness comes by the law then CHRIST is dead in vain. (Gal 2:20-21) ~GOD BLESS YOU WITH ALL INSIGHT INTO HIMSELF~
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Thank you for the article- it had some interesting insights!\n\nI have long thought that there was something odd in the part of Genesis 2:1 and the phrasing Genesis 1 used. I've been looking for things that explained it and your article did just that.\n\nIt simply makes no sense that the God who sent His people to the wilderness for 40 years would have (or needed to) rush the planet in 6 days, then fake various items to make it seem much older. He does not work that way at any other time, so why then?\n\nI have said for years that when the Bible and science or reality conflict, our understanding of one or the other is flawed- and I think we've really messed up our understanding of the Bible!
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There are several places in the bible that say things, like adopted sons of God,sons of god,children of God,in ephesians paul says we are one with God, all these thing where said to people who could not comprehend the whole truth"God dwells within you as you"  in those days they would have cut off your head for such teachings,why do you think Jesus was crucified and paul was persicuted?? Throughout the ages God has had to communicate with people on their level. Hence paganism,burning bushes Etc.
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Romans4:17(As it is written,  I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were\n\nGod Bless
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He'd say that they don't know their Bible well enough.\n\nThe passages in Leviticus (18:22 & 20:13), understood IN CONTEXT, are not an admonishment against loving sexual relationships between people of the same sex but instead against sex as a form of domination and control. Besides, these passages are part of the Holiness Code which is not binding to modern day Christians (or anyone else for that matter).\n\nThe story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis chapters 18 & 19) was a warning against rape, inhospitality and xenophobia. The reason for Sodom's destruction is made clear in Ezekiel 16:48-50. According to Ezekiel, the sins of Sodom were pride, laziness, being inhospitable, neglecting the needs of the poor, greed, and idolatry (the worshipping of idols). Nothing about homosexuality is mentioned.\n\n1 Corinthians 6:9 was a mistranslation of the word malakee. It's used elsewhere in the Bible to mean someone who lacks discipline or one who is morally weak, and never is it used in reference to sexuality or gender.\n\n1 Timothy 1:10? Also a mistranslation. 1 Timothy was an admonishment against male prostitution, not committed, loving same sex relationships.\n\nThe words physin and paraphysin in Romans 1:26-27 have also been mistranslated. Contrary to popular belief, the word paraphysin does not mean "to go against the laws of nature", but rather implies action which is uncharacteristic for that particular person. An example of the word paraphysin is used in Romans 11:24, where God acts in an uncharacteristic (paraphysin) way to accept the Gentiles. When the scripture is understood correctly, it seems to imply that it would be unnatural for heterosexuals to live as homosexuals, and for homosexuals to live as heterosexuals.
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It's here mav http://www.fishthe.net/digitracts/roman.htm\n\nAlso this:  Romans 1:20-21: "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." We must acknowledge God as the Creator of everything and accept our humble position in God's creation. \n\nRomans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” We must all realize that we are sinners and that we need forgiveness. We are not worthy of God’s grace. \n\nRomans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Through Jesus, God gave us a way to be saved from our sins. God showed us His love by giving us the potential for life through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. \n\nRomans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If we remain sinners, we will die. However, if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and repent of our sins, we will have eternal life. \n\nRomans 10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Just confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved! \n\nRomans 10:13 “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” There are no religious formulas or rituals -- Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved! \n\nRomans 11:36: "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."
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Lots of questions!!!  \nAccording to the BIBLE... it is not okay to say that God hates homosexuals.  because God does not hate them, He is against what they do...homosexuality. Actually they are going against God... here is the proof... Romans chapter 1.\n1 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,\n2  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)\n3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;\n4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:\n5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:\n6  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:\n7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.\n8 ¶  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.\n9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;\n10  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.\n11  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;\n12  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.\n13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,)that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.\n14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.\n15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.\n16 ¶  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.\n17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.\n18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;\n19 ¶  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.\n20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:\n21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.\n22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,\n23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.\n24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:\n25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.\n26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:\n27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.\n28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;\n29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malig
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My understanding is that the law was over, caput, done with when Jesus died on the cross. Jesus said, I came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Read the book of Romans, written by Paul, he explains very well. If you are new to scripture, you might want to try the "Word" translation. We human beings are so innately depraved and clueless - (a legacy from Adam - check your scripture crosswalk.com = it has a search engine)- that there was/is *nothing* we could ever *do* that would save us. It required that Jesus become flesh and that *He* take on all of our sins... that's how we're saved. By grace. There is no way to *earn* your way. It is a gift from God - GRACE - and it can't be earned. It;s given when you accept that Jesus is the son of God and that His purpose was to do for us what we could never do for ourselves. The operative word here: "do."\n One more thing: God *always* loves us. The question for us is: "Do we *trust* HIm? Obey? If you're believing, you're "obeying." He left only 2 commandments: Love me as I love you and love your neighbors. That second one is tough... oftentimes impossible. I've got neighbors - or people I just come across that I'd like to take a baseball bat to... then I remember that the commandment wasn't "Love your neighbors - except those who make you want to hit them with a baseball bat." This Christian walk is not easy and it doesn't require you to DO anything to receive God's love. Romans and the letters to the seven churches in teh NT all speak to Christ's intentions: Look at how he behaved: he loved and he acted in love. And that ain't easy to do all the time. I try and get it maybe 30-40% of hte time. And still, He's got me covered. \n Scripture will tell you all you need to know. Prepare and ask to know what God's will is for you... he's not a Fairy Godmother - damn it all - but as you are ready you will be shown. Bless you.
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several places - Romans 1:26 and 27 to name just one.\n\nContrary to suggestions further down the page, I just know where it is cos I have been studying Romans recently - the same as if i had been asked where the New Testament mentions Abraham or Israel! It's not that I have memorised every bit in the bible that talks about homosexuality - i DO NOT hate people who are homosexual!
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Can you follow the 10 commandments?  Can you go without breaking a single one?  Neither can anyone else.  The laws were given to show the need for a messiah to die and atone for our sins.  Rom. 10:4: “Christ is the end of the Law\n\n By setting out a perfect pattern covering the various facets of life, it showed up the Jews as sinners. It became evident that, despite any good intentions and diligent efforts, they could not measure up to its requirements. Using the Jews as a sample of the imperfect human family, the Law exposed all the world, including each one of us, as sinners, liable to God for punishment. (Rom. 3:19, 20)Thus it emphasized the need for a savior for mankind, and it led faithful ones to Jesus Christ as that Savior. In what way? It identified him as the only one who kept the Law perfectly, thus the only human who was sinless.\n\nWas the Mosaic Law ever meant to be binding on all mankind? (Ps. 147:19, 20; Ex. 31:12, 13)\n\nDid Jehovah give any indication to Israel that someday the Law covenant would end? (Jer. 31:31-33; Heb. 8:13)\n\n In the light of this, what is implied by arguing that the Mosaic Law is still in force? In effect, this constitutes a repudiation of faith in Jesus Christ. Why is that so? Because such a view rejects the fact that Jesus fulfilled the Law, thus paving the way for God to terminate it. To persons who professed to be Christians but who were swayed by arguments in favor of keeping the Law, or some portion of it, the apostle Paul forcefully wrote: “You are parted from Christ, whoever you are that try to be declared righteous by means of law; you have fallen away from his undeserved kindness.”—Gal. 5:4; see also Romans 10:2-4.
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read Romans chapter 10 for some help. it is having a vital and wonderful relationship with Jesus christ. it is having your sins washed away by Jesus blood. staying close to Him.
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May have to do something with the Roman emporer Nero who was feeding Christains to lions at the time the passage was written; some parts of the Bible are meant to be taken from a historical context and some for moral teachings.  This, from what I understand, was a way for Christians to convey what Nero was doing (his name or birthday converts to 666) much like they used the symbol of the fish to let others know who they were in times of adversity and persecution.