If all are included in the Gospel, then what about 2 Corinthians 6 where Paul says not to be "unequally yoked", he also called them (unbelievers) darkness, temples of idols, unrighteousness......
I see Paul giving them some good advice. A few times in Corinthians Paul calls them infants in the Gospel, He also says that he is talking to them as a Father would talk with love to his own children. Paul doesn't want these beloved children to become wrongly infuenced and go back to wrong thinking.
He earlier (ch 3) reminds them to see Jesus as they themselves look in a mirror - reminding them of who they are -. They needed reminding because they were still immature in their revelation of the Good News and the seed was still in danger of being stolen from of the surface. -Remember in Mathew, and the parable of the sower, Jesus says that the soil is our understanding (revelation), and if the truth doesn't go into our understanding (and out of sight from the bird that wants to steal it), then it is vulnerable.
James tells us that the Immature (those with little understanding) are those who look at themselves in a mirror and walk away and forget what they look like. They are the ones who are tossed about by every wind and change of doctrine...
He earlier (ch 3) reminds them to see Jesus as they themselves look in a mirror - reminding them of who they are -. They needed reminding because they were still immature in their revelation of the Good News and the seed was still in danger of being stolen from of the surface. -Remember in Mathew, and the parable of the sower, Jesus says that the soil is our understanding (revelation), and if the truth doesn't go into our understanding (and out of sight from the bird that wants to steal it), then it is vulnerable.
James tells us that the Immature (those with little understanding) are those who look at themselves in a mirror and walk away and forget what they look like. They are the ones who are tossed about by every wind and change of doctrine...
So, Paul revealed to them their identity (as Jesus is, so are they in this world), but they were forgetting because of outside influences that were undermining the Truth. As a loving Father to his Kids, Paul tells these CORINTHIANS to avoid keeping that kind of company with them.
Paul, in other letters encourages believers to make the most of every interaction with those who do not yet believe (and even Paul himself lived to this cause: To testify about the Gospel of Gods Grace to mankind - Act 20:24). The reason was so that they (unbelievers) would hear and believe that they are INCLUDED, they are RECONCILED and NOT separated - because of that one man Jesus Christ through whom God reconciled the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them.
Darkness is only darkness because it has not YET perceived/comprehended that Light shines IN and THROUGH it:(the power of darkness is deception... it hides/covers truth)
Darkness is only darkness because it has not YET perceived/comprehended that Light shines IN and THROUGH it:(the power of darkness is deception... it hides/covers truth)
Joh 1:3 Every thing was by his hand; and without him, was not any thing whatever that existed.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of man.
Joh 1:5 And this Light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended/comprehended/
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of man.
Joh 1:5 And this Light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended/comprehended/
Eph 5:8 ....For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light.
(when were we placed IN the Lord? When the Lord was placed in us.... when the Word became Flesh. He died humanities death because of His union with Humanity in and through His incarnation)..... "He came unto His own, but they did not recognise Him"... "the Light shone In the Darkness, but the darkness did not recognise it"
We are in His image and likeness..... and He is Light. If we dont comprehend this, we will act like darkness. But just because I act like something, it doesnt mean I am that thing - right?
Paul makes it clear through his Gospel these people (darkness, temples of idols, unrighteousness) are blind to the accomplished reality. 2 Cor 4:4 - they have blinded minds and have not yet seen the light of the gospel. Col 1:21-They are enemies towards God in their own minds/imaginations and it shows in their actions. They act like Darkness and behave unrighteously because they are still in the dark about who they really are.The power of darkness is deception. The reality, however, is that He has delivered us (ALL) from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Col 1:13), and has reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross (Col 1:20)
Paul makes it clear through his Gospel these people (darkness, temples of idols, unrighteousness) are blind to the accomplished reality. 2 Cor 4:4 - they have blinded minds and have not yet seen the light of the gospel. Col 1:21-They are enemies towards God in their own minds/imaginations and it shows in their actions. They act like Darkness and behave unrighteously because they are still in the dark about who they really are.The power of darkness is deception. The reality, however, is that He has delivered us (ALL) from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Col 1:13), and has reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross (Col 1:20)
Paul says, "hey guys, dont you know that bad company corrupts good character. Stop hanging around people that will influence you and make you think you are still in the Dark" - and then He reminds them to behold Christ as in a mirror.
When we see who we are - sons and daughters in the Kingdom, then we will naturally influence those around us, and not the other way around.
Feel His Loving Embrace as He shares in your Humanity - never to leave, never to separate!
Love.
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