A Common Life

Does All Mean ALL?

I do not enjoy debating theological nuances with people and get quite uncomfortable discussing the finer points of Christianity. I'm not saying I won't, but I work hard to avoid it.

As with all topics, there are some who can handle differences among friends, and some cannot. Some people's faith takes them to point A, and someone else's to point B. We don't all have the same point of understanding in many areas of life, so why should Biblical insight and understanding be any different? Wisdom should dictate not overloading those in another place than we are. I'm certain my husband is careful with the information he gives me and the kids and he always has been. He carries the load he's carrying and is our protector. The comparison isn't exact, but the same general principle applies with our brothers and sisters in the faith. We need to be careful to perceive when we're not doing someone a favor by making them think about something in a way that is going to strain them or cause them to struggle. The Holy Spirit is the One to reveal the truth He wants to reveal in the minds of a believer reading the Word of God or hearing sound preaching. Right there with that statement I'm revealing something about myself, right? I am not equipped to debate and do not want to. If I wanted to, we'd all hope I was equipped to, but in the moment of a discussion where people disagree, I can't even think straight.

That said:

:5. ESV And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the , confessing their sins.

Question: Did ALL of the people, every single one, go out to Jesus to be baptized? When we approach scripture with a preconceived idea that a word always has to mean X because otherwise it doesn't lead to the conclusion we want, we're not giving an honest reading. "All" does NOT mean ALL every time the word is used. We must look at the context and not be afraid of what the Bible says or is teaching. I contend that not every single person went and I do not think the verse implies it. Figures of speech; they exist. It likely means MANY, maybe MOST, but not EVERY SINGLE person living in each country.

Let's look at this one:

John 6:37-39

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.

Question: Does every single person that the Father gives to Jesus go to Him? Yes, this statement gives the limiting factor. The people God gives to Jesus, all of THEM, will COME to Jesus. (side note: All that He GIVES will COME to Jesus. Isn't that interesting? On God's side, He is GIVING them to Jesus but on the side of people, they are COMING.) Does this say the Father gives ALL people to Him? Every single person that the Father GIVES to Jesus WILL come to Jesus. And of ALL that God has given Jesus, NONE will be lost, they will be found in Him (saved) until the end and will be with Him in eternity.

This is a good explanation, better than I can give. I strive to not repeat mantras that tell me what to believe. I think "all means all" falls in to that category. It presupposes the context so that the verse says what someone wants it to say. We are each responsible to read and study and know the Word of God

Can You Hear?

The technology of the day is so available. As Christians, so we hear the Lord well and readily? Are our habits making it harder to hear Him? We have to have quiet. I'm convinced the enemy is using the ease of shutting out quiet against the body of Christ. We are distracted and half focusing. We justify it in many ways, but the voice of Lord in our minds and hearts comes in the quiet. It's hard enough to discipline ourselves to be in His presence. How much the more when we have music in our ears continually?

Seven Steps to Spiritual Stability

When free time is had, we often want to relax...but does that really build us up as we need? Sometimes it does, but sometimes the time is just wasted looking at useless things or engaging in fruitless ventures. Here's a rich series to listen to, or you can read the transcript :).

The great pastor and teacher, John MacArthur, brings Seven Steps to Spiritual Stability.

Pray for John MacArthur and his dear wife. Here is an aged man who has been committed to truth for decades. He's encouraged thousands and thousands to follow closer to the Lord than so many before him, with a clear, organized method of communicating. Teaching and preaching, and demonstrating his profound love for the church. When I heard him preach on that love, it really got in my mind and I've thought about it many times throughout the years since. Do I love the church?? Really love it? So that I'm all-in even if there are problems? Because there always will be problems. Do I guard the church, build it up, serve in it, keep it undefiled by who I am and what I do?

I digress.

Here's some good stuff friends.

Series by John MacArthur

No Refined Sugar Sourdough Discard Blueberry Bread

With all the baking, I'm working toward less sugar in the recipes.

These are this week's Sunday bake.

Finishing Well: Quotes

"The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying." - Unknown

"It's not how you start, but how you finish that matters." - Michael Phelps

"Finishing strong is the only respectable way to finish." - Gary Ryan Blair

"Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go." - William Feather

"The last mile is always the hardest." - Joseph Chamberlain