Jul 132017
 
bible key

Genesis 12:3 tells us that God will bless those that bless Abraham and his people, and curse those that curse Abraham but generally when I hear this scripture recited it is on the radio and someone is applying it to some of of the poor Jews in modern Israel as if it is for them exclusively. They mean well in doing this but they may be looking at only a small portion of the picture. What about the rest of Abraham’s true descendants?

We have to keep in mind that Abraham lived approximately 4 thousand years ago in Canaan, close to where Asia and Africa meet, so through some genealogical lines we are all descendants of him. For example, I have found some of my own family lines which link to kings of ancient Israel as I have been into genealogy since the 1980s. And even though my dna is largely Northwest Europe I have some small bits going into Western Asia so I can be counted as Abraham’s seed too, HOWEVER, it is those of good faith that are counted as the TRUE people of Abraham. Galatians 3:26 says, “Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.” With this in mind you should be blessing and helping your fellow Christians. Race, size, hair color, and form matter little, nor should we hold back blessing fellow believers because we do not agree on every issue.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.–Galatians 6:2

pastor Zomok

Jan 262017
 
bible key

The study of both Hebrew and Greek can be rewarding and opens one eyes to deeper understanding. A good example is the issue of faith and the supposed differences between Paul and James. Actually there really was never a contention as both men held to a Hebrew form of faith rather than abstract faith or an idea. In Genesis 15:6 we find Abraham was counted as righteous because he supported the Lord; he relied on the Lord. He had a form of EMUNAH faith. True faith always has a flowering of good things coming out of it. James was concerned about dead abstract faith being substituted for genuine trust and the good it generates.

I hardly know Hebrew or Greek but over the last 15 years I have picked up some of both languages and it can open one up to deeper understandings. Another thing too is that it is always good to go back and look through the older blogs and postings. I hope those reading will find this short study helpful.

Pastor Zomok