“God is unfair in that Hitler and a dear old lady (who never accepted Jesus)
will both go to hell.”
Sinners often accuse God of being unjust, because they assume that everyone
will receive the same punishment in hell regardless of whether their
sins are menial or heinous. God’s judgment, however, will be according to
righteousness (Acts 17:31). In Matthew 11:24, Jesus said, “It shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.”
And in Luke 10:14, we see that the more sinful cities of Chorazin and
Bethsaida will receive a more harsh judgment than Tyre and Sidon. These
verses show that there will be degrees of punishment. (See also Luke
12:47,48; Hebrews 10:29.)
In this lesson we are going to look at the Fifth Commandment: “Honor
your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the
land which the Lord your God gives you” (Exodus 20:12).
This Commandment is unique, because it is “the first commandment
with promise” (Ephesians 6:2). To honor our parents is to esteem them,
show them respect, and obey them. The New Testament instructs children
to “obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1) and
“obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord”
(Colossians 3:20). Are children to obey only the things they want to, or
that sound reasonable to them? No; in order to please the Lord, they are
to obey “in all things.” That doesn’t mean their parents will always make
wise decisions or treat their children as they should, but God will hold
the parents accountable for their own actions. Regardless of the parents’
parenting skills, the children are to obey—that is their role for which God
will hold them accountable.
Why is this so important? Since children are naturally sinful, they need
to be instructed in the ways of the Lord; parents must “train up a child in
the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). Proverbs 29:15,17 warns, “The rod
and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his mother to
shame . . . Correct your son, and he shall give you rest; yes, he shall give
delight unto your soul.” One who will not submit to the authority of his
parents, who are God’s agents to train and discipline him, is very unlikely
to submit to God’s authority and obey God’s Laws.
In essence, this commandment promises that, if children do not honor
their parents, all will not go well with them and their days will not be
long upon the earth. This is the reason all isn’t well with this generation.
It has been left in the dark about the requirements of the Law and is suffering
the consequences of its transgression. It is plagued with drug and
alcohol addiction, promiscuity, sexually transmitted diseases, broken families,
and a massive suicide rate (go to www.1000deaths.com, click on the
photos, and weep).
The Bible says that the Messiah would magnify the Law and make it
honorable (Isaiah 42:21). Jesus did this many times, particularly in the
Sermon on the Mount. Mark 7:5–13 tells us that the Pharisees had dishonored
the Law by merely giving God lip service. They made this Commandment void through their tradition, teaching for doctrines the commandments
of men. The Savior brought honor back to the Law by teaching
that the Law was spiritual in nature, and that outward observance was
not enough. God required truth in the inward parts (the thought-life,
intent, and motives).
Again, the lawful use of the Law is to show us how far we have fallen
short of God’s perfect standard. The Law brings the knowledge of sin.
The best of us haven’t honored our parents as we should. However, in
witnessing, you will encounter some who will contend that they have
kept this Commandment and have perfectly honored their parents. They
therefore need to be confronted with the sins of the flesh first before they
are confronted with this Commandment. Have they lied? Have they stolen?
Almost everyone will admit to lying and stealing; therefore, they have dishonored
their parents’ name by being a lying thief.
Originally posted by dottewellYep, I know I would get someone to say that.
You should have stopped there. But you had to ruin it.
You aren't saved by works. People choose to go to hell by not repenting of their sin. And people choose to go to heaven by repenting of there sin and turning to Christ.
Originally posted by RBHILLYou're truly lost, RBHILL.
“God is unfair in that Hitler and a dear old lady (who never accepted Jesus)
will both go to hell.”
Sinners often accuse God of being unjust, because they assume that everyone
will receive the same punishment in hell regardless of whether their
sins are menial or heinous. God’s judgment, however, will be according to
righteousness (Acts 17:31). In Matthe ...[text shortened]... lying and stealing; therefore, they have dishonored
their parents’ name by being a lying thief.
Originally posted by dottewellRead the Word of God and you can know.
We'll see. (Or not.)
way would God make it a surprise on who is in heaven and who is not.
You are not saved by good works or trying to live life like Jesus did.
People who do not even know about Jesus can't know how to live like him.
But Jesus did say he will be preached about to every tribe and nation. So someday some of those tribe people will hear of Jesus and accept him and be saved.
Originally posted by LemonJelloI was when I when to the Catholic Church.
You're truly lost, RBHILL.
I had never heard the words born again.
And don't get me wrong I didn't want to leave the Catholic Church but when my life changed and I stopped swearing, I had to publically give my life to Christ and then he set me free of my paranoia problem.
Originally posted by RBHILLI was wondering if you might give us your full testimony again. I think the most motivating detail is how you stopped looking at porn even though you used to only look at the white girls and skip over the other races. That might inspire some other people struggling with the isame ssue, to hear your story.
And don't get me wrong I didn't want to leave the Catholic Church but when my life changed and I stopped swearing, I had to publically give my life to Christ and then he set me free of my paranoia problem.
Originally posted by RBHILLSo Jesus kindly replaced your fear of AIDS with a fear of Catholicism?
I was when I when to the Catholic Church.
I had never heard the words born again.
And don't get me wrong I didn't want to leave the Catholic Church but when my life changed and I stopped swearing, I had to publically give my life to Christ and then he set me free of my paranoia problem.
Originally posted by RBHILLSo are you saying that un utter bastard who dies with the name of cheeses on their lips goes to heaven despite their behaviour up to that point. Seems like cod lack judgement
Read the Word of God and you can know.
way would God make it a surprise on who is in heaven and who is not.
You are not saved by good works or trying to live life like Jesus did.
People who do not even know about Jesus can't know how to live like him.
But Jesus did say he will be preached about to every tribe and nation. So someday some of those tribe people will hear of Jesus and accept him and be saved.
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesI think everyone has been guilty of fastforwarding to the "good parts." I guess we all have differing tastes as to what the "good parts" are.
I was wondering if you might give us your full testimony again. I think the most motivating detail is how you stopped looking at porn even though you used to only look at the white girls and skip over the other races. That might inspire some other people struggling with the isame ssue, to hear your story.
Originally posted by RBHILLthats not true. assuming that God exists, he gave us all a choice: believe in him and go to heaven, or not believe in him and go to hell. nothing unfair about that.
“God is unfair in that Hitler and a dear old lady (who never accepted Jesus)
will both go to hell.”
Sinners often accuse God of being unjust, because they assume that everyone
will receive the same punishment in hell regardless of whether their
sins are menial or heinous. God’s judgment, however, will be according to
righteousness (Acts 17:31). In Matthe ...[text shortened]... lying and stealing; therefore, they have dishonored
their parents’ name by being a lying thief.
Originally posted by EcstremeVenom"nothing unfair about that"? Really? It seems grossly unfair to me, particularly if we take it to be the case (as many do) that belief is something beyond the informed agent's active control. Throw in the fact that God provided us with no demonstrable evidence to warrant such belief, and that's not much of a "choice" for any rational agent.
thats not true. assuming that God exists, he gave us all a choice: believe in him and go to heaven, or not believe in him and go to hell. nothing unfair about that.
Originally posted by RBHILLShould you honor your parents if they instruct you to disobey God?
That doesn’t mean their parents will always make
wise decisions or treat their children as they should, but God will hold
the parents accountable for their own actions. Regardless of the parents’
parenting skills, the children are to obey—that is their role for which God
will hold them accountable.