O you who love the Lord, hate evil! – Psalm 97:10 ~ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. – Proverbs 14:12
Your ears are not your own—that you may listen to
every foolish tale, drink in every political, worldly, or
carnal report which may fall upon them—and thus feed
that natural desire for news, gossip, and even slander,
which is the very element of the carnal mind.
Your tongue is not your own, that you may speak
what you please, and blurt out whatever passes in
the chambers of your heart, without check or fear.
Yes, blessed be God, there is gospel liberty, for
there is no real happiness in religion without it;
but not liberty to sin—not liberty to gratify the
lusts of the flesh—not liberty to act contrary to
the gospel we profess, and the precepts of God’s
Word—for this is not liberty but licentiousness.
“You are not your own! For you are bought with
a price…therefore glorify God in your body, and in
your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19
– J. C. Philpot
“Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.” ` Deuteronomy 12:30
FTA: While many of the pagan customs associated with the celebration of Spring were at one stage practised alongside Christian Easter traditions, they eventually came to be absorbed within Christianity, as symbols of the resurrection of Jesus. (my note: this is syncretism-combining paganism and Christianity in the unlawful worship to God) source
Ever since the first prophesy to mankind, recorded in Genesis 3:15, man has tried to fulfill it with their own ideas and gods. Myths and legends abound to this day. And, sadly, incorporating these myths’ traditions into Christianity has many believing that Christianity is just another pagan religion. Christians have not obeyed God in setting themselves apart from the pagan religions and it has muddied the truth that Jesus Christ is the only Savior, the only Redeemer.
FTA: Today, Tammuz’s cultural legacy is evident in various cultural practices, including the celebration of Easter. The resurrection of Jesus during Easter has similarities to the myth of Tammuz’s resurrection and highlights the cyclical nature of life and death…The worship of Tammuz was accompanied by ancient rituals, such as the weeping for Tammuz, a ritual during which women mourned the death of the deity. Archaeologists have discovered that Tammuz’s worship involved a range of practices such as sacrifices in his honor, singing hymns to his name, and participating in temple rites…Tammuz’s cultural legacy and relevance can still be seen in modern society. Although he was worshiped long ago, his significance continues to influence the world today, making his story an intriguing aspect of Ancient Near East’s history and mythology. His popularity allows us to understand the culture and traditions of Mesopotamia, providing an insight into how human belief systems have evolved throughout history. source
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2 :9
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
“There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke.13.22-Luke.13.30
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