|
Bible Riches Mail #af How can I recognize if a person
is or is not a "believer?" |
|||
| How can I recognize if a person is or is
not a "believer?" Jean writes - I'm seeking truth about what being "unequally yoked" and "believer" means because it seems to me that only God really knows whether a certain person is or is not a "believer." A book I read describes a believer as one who believes in God whether he goes to church or not, and manifests the fruits of the spirit. Again, however, how do we know how someone will live after marriage? |
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what partnership
does righteousness have with lawlessness? And what fellowship does light have with darkness? 2 Cor 6.14 |
||
|
Rich's reply First John gives four tests that I think will give you a pretty good idea of whether or not a particular individual is a *true believer*...
|
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1.9 |
||
|
We are of God. He who knows God hears us. The one who is not of God
does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4.6 But he who practices truth comes to the Light so that his deeds may be made known, that they have been worked in God. John 3. 21 |
||
|
He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness
until now. He who loves his brother rests in the light, and there is no offense in him. But he who hates his brother
is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2.9-11 |
||
|
He who says, I have known Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in this one the love of God is perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk even as He walked. 1 John 2.4-6 | ||
| Part of obedience is attending church. If a professing believer says, “I am not going to church anymore,” then a red flag should pop up. | Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhort one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb 10.25 | ||
| It is possible for believers to go through periods of rebellion and
not manifest some or all of these tests. But the longer they delay, the more real is the possibility that spiritual
depravity may have settled in. Remember this when it comes to choosing a spouse. No one knows precisely how one will eventually behave after the wedding. Life can throw people for a loop. But God will lead and guide you, so depend on Him completely. --> |
 |
This is why courtship is crucial for any relationship leading to marriage. Check one another out spiritually...
|
|
|
Now, let's take a closer look at 2 Cor 6.14...
|
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what partnership
does righteousness have with lawlessness? And what fellowship does light have with darkness? 2 Cor 6.14 |
||
| Since therefore, a believer has been given by God a “new nature,” he or she must attach oneself with those of like nature in order to grow and be at peace. | So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor 5.17 | ||
| The key here is the word, “yoked.” The concept is taken from Deuteronomy
22.10. “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.” A donkey and an ox have different natures. They perform differently as well. You place them both in a yoke to plow or work together and each will cancel the other out. This is what the Bible is saying in 2 Cor 6.14. You can interact with unbelievers and have them as friends, but don’t get yourself into a “yoke” type of relationship that you cannot get out of without scarring yourself or others in the process – such as marriage, business, church settings, and personal relationships that are intimate. |
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what partnership does righteousness have with
lawlessness? And what fellowship does light have with darkness? 2 Cor 6.14 You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. Deu 22.10 |
||
|
|
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers... For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Cor 6.14-16 |
||
|
Notice also the contrasts in this passage ...
How could any of these opposite extremes bring harmony into a relationship? |
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Cor 6.14-16 | ||
|
In conclusion, I need to add some *caveats* --
Then what’s the point? The point is the initial start. By marrying a believer one has a greater chance of a successful marriage than if a believer were to marry an unbeliever. --> |
|
Why? Because to marry a believer (and not just anyone but one in whom God puts His stamp of approval) is to start out in obedience rather than disobedience. I tell people who are NOT married two things...
|
|
| Jacob was a deceiver, yet God
blessed him. Why? L.C. Fu from Singapore writes - I can't help but wonder WHY does the Bible seem to favor deception and bullying when Jacob demanded Esau's birthright, at the point of his brother's thirst and hunger? |
|||
| Rich's reply The Bible passage you referred to is quoted alongside. Clearly, Jacob did not act in a kind and loving way toward his brother Esau. In fact, Jacob took full advantage of the fact that Esau was tired and very hungry. Moreover, there later came a time when Jacob did something that was even worse than what he did to Esau. Namely, Jacob actually deceived Isaac, his own father. |
Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was
weary. And Esau said to Jacob, "Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary." Therefore his
name was called Edom. But Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright as of this day." And Esau said, "Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?" Then Jacob said, "Swear to me as of this day." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. Gen 25.29-34 |
||
| The record of Jacob's great deception is found in Genesis chapter
27, a small portion of which is quoted alongside. The events in Genesis chapter 27 took place after Isaac, the father of Jacob and Esau, had become so old that he was weak, and nearly blind. Isaac asked Esau to bring him some special food. Esau departed to fulfill his father's request. While Esau was away, Jacob brought food to his father, and tricked him into thinking that it was Esau who brought it. Because of this, Isaac blessed Jacob, in the false belief that he was blessing Esau. Was Jacob deceitful? Yes he was. Well then, how can God honor this blessing? Let's look to the Bible for an answer to this question. |
So Jacob went to his father and said, "My father.' And he said,
"Here I am. Who are you, my son?" Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me." Gen 27.18-19 |
||
| To start with, it's important for you to know that, even though Esau
and Jacob were twins, Esau was born a few moments earlier than Jacob. Thus, Esau was the elder brother and, based on customs in Old Testament times, he was entitled to a double portion of the inheritance from his father. This double portion was often referred to as the *birthright* of the firstborn. |
So when Rebekah's days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed
there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called
his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob. Gen 25.24-26a |
||
| The verses alongside record that Esau and Jacob were struggling against
each other, even while they were still in their mother's womb. Rebekah, their mother, asked God why this struggle was going on. Read carefully the answer that God gave her, as quoted alongside. Namely, God informed Rebekah that the older child [Esau] was destined to *serve* the younger child [Jacob]. Now all this took place BEFORE the birth of either of these two boys. God had already chosen Jacob (the younger) to be over Esau (the older). This is called "election." Election is based on the love and grace of God in fulfilling His purposes. [NOTE- a *link* to further discussion of election is provided at the end of this page.] |
Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren;
and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her. "Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples shall be separated from your body. One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger." Gen 25.21-23 |
||
| So, did Jacob deceive Esau? Yes, he did. But whether by deception or not, Jacob was going to be the one who got blessed anyway. That was God's plan, and His plans are never thwarted. | The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to
all generations. Ps 33.11 [see also Ezek 33.33; Mt 5.18, 24.35] |
||
| On the other hand, was Esau careless and naive for letting himself
be deceived by Jacob? Yes, he was. Remember, it was Esau who said, "Behold, I am about to die; so what use is my birthright to me?" This is referred to as living for the here and now, with no eternal perspective in mind. |
Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright as of this day." Esau said, "Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?" Gen 25.31-32 |
||
| Also, when Jacob told Esau, "Sell me your birthright" Esau
COULD have answered "No!" But he didn't. Accordingly, God's Word rightly asserts that Esau DESPISED his birthright. Jacob valued the birthright. Esau despised it. |
And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank,
arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his
birthright. Gen 24.34 |
||
| Jacob was far from being perfect. Yet God blessed him. Is that BAD news? No!! It is good news. If God will save a deceiver like Jacob, then there's hope for any and all sinners to be saved. Why is God kind to people who do not deserve kindness? The verses alongside speak to this question. I can add nothing to them. |
The LORD did not set His love on you [Jacob and his descendants] nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you Deu 7.7-8a For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that...
Eph 2.8-9 |
||
| Conclusion So Jacob received the blessing, and not Esau. But here's the Good News -- Anyone and Everyone can grab hold of Jacob's blessing! Men and women, boys and girls -- no matter who you are or where you live -- EVERYONE can receive the blessings of God! How? By receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior. The Bible says, "those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham the believer" (Gal. 3.9). --> |
|
You can sit around like Esau, blaming whomever you choose because
something did not work the way you think it should have. OR you can do something positive and constructive for
yourself and become part of God's plan by taking hold of YOUR birthright. Yes, you do have a birthright! God gave His Son Jesus to be the *birthright* of every mother's child who lives on Planet Earth, and that includes you. Esau sold his birthright. What will you do with YOURS? What will you do with Jesus? |
|
|
[For a further discussion of *election* click HERE.] |
|||
|
E-mail Rich |