Former location of "The Kingdom of the Heavens" blog, written by an incurable fool who is trying to become a holy fool!
I have been in Christ since 1991, and have been writing about the general subject area of this site since 1996. My less relevant qualifications are: B.S. (Chemistry) and B.A. (Linguistics), 1976, Wichita State University. M.S. (Biochemistry), 1982 (course work finished in 1980), Iowa State University; J.D., 1982, University of Iowa; M.A. (History), 1984, University of Iowa; plus one year of a History Ph.D. program, 1984-1985, University of Kansas. I was employed from 1991 to 2016 as a research paralegal in a firm that handled mostly complex civil litigation, including toxic tort litigation (in which I was always involved). That firm merged with a larger litigation firm in 2016, where I have been employed ever
Application of the Golden Rule: When I love and do good to my enemies, I am doing what my Heavenly Father does for me.
And I am showing myself to be his child. I am being supernatural rather than merely natural.
I will now begin to apply an extended passage from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain,” recorded in Luke 6:27-40. Jesus’ message in this passage can be summarized as: The passage starts: Luke 6:27-30 (WEB) Here we are given a list of commands about how to treat those who hate, oppose or use us. But, by Jesus own words. these commands…
Read more
The theme verse of this installment is Philippians 4:2-3, in which Paul first exhorts Euodia and Syntyche to put their differences aside and agree with each other, then encourages one of the other leaders in Philippi, who he calls his “true partner” to help the two women come into agreement: Philippians 4:2-3 (WEB). This appears to be a request by…
Read more
The theme of this installment is a question Paul asked the church in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 6:5 (WEB) While the process Jesus described in Matthew 18:15-20 (see previous series of installments) is the ideal procedure, the one most likely to produce reconciliation–which is the goal of all such procedures–the New Testament is not rigidly inflexible in demanding that only this…
Read more
choosing not to forgive, Divisions in the Church, Forgive as we forgive, Forgiveness and Unforgiveness, God was never our enemy, Love each other, Must Trust God to Enter, Quarrels, Reconciliation, Refusing to hear, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, The Kingdom of the Heavens, Trusting sight over God's words, What is sin?
But the damage didn’t stop with the Unforgiving Servant and the Unforgiven Servant. The Lord’s “other servants” were also affected. Matthew 18:23-24 (WEB) Recall how the matter started. The Lord was settling accounts with his “servants,” plural, when one servant with a huge debt was brought before him. That servant begged the Lord for mercy, and the Lord gave him…
Read more
In praying for the good of all of the people important to my world, and all those God has made me aware of–who have my attention for a purpose God knows–doesn’t there come a time when I can simply decide to stop praying because it’s simply no use? Assuming that God (not other people) has not directly told me to…
Read more
Paul told Timothy to pray for “all people.” He said to pray for them–not against them–so that we may live in peace. He emphasized that he meant to pray for everybody by including “kings,” by implication including the Roman Emperor, who at that time was the despicable Nero. If I am thinking about you, I should be praying for you.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
When other believers reject me so completely that they order me not to pray for them, this doesn’t change what God tells me to do for them. I should continue doing good to them, as the opportunity presents itself. Galatians 6:7-10. This includes praying for them.
Links: This post read as a YouTube video. Full playlist for this series. Remember the other servant? The one the Unforgiving Servant threw in prison instead of showing him mercy? I thought so. Most people don’t. I know nearly everyone thinks this story is only about the relationship between the Lord and the Unforgiving Servant. That’s why it is usually…
Read more