The Gospel in Galatians

The Gospel and the Church

Lesson #13 for September 23, 2017

Scriptures: Galatians 6:1-10; Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Romans 15:1; John 13:34-35; Luke 22:3[1].

1.    This lesson is about the church and how it deals with sinners. Is your church more like a hospital for sinners? Or, is it more like a club for saints? Have you helped another Christian to bear his or her burdens recently? How should the church respond to sinners either outside or inside its ranks? Shouldn’t the church welcome sinners? Aren’t we all sinners?

2.    As you look around in your church, do church members frequently put others before themselves? Are we practicing the golden rule?

Matthew 7:12: Do for others what you want them to do for you: this is the meaning of the Law of Moses and of the teachings of the prophets.—American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation* (2nd ed., Matthew 7:12). New York: American Bible Society.

3.    These are tough questions. Jesus was not talking about Wall Street’s “golden rule”: “He who has the gold makes the rules!” There were other law codes before the days of Moses. They included rules like: “If you don’t want someone to do something to you, don’t do it to him.” Hasn’t every mother said that to her children? How was Jesus’s instruction different? And what about the platinum rule: “Do unto others what they would like to have done to them.”

4.    Like other human beings, Christians make mistakes. How should we deal with church members who make mistakes? How does the church relate to sinners who are outside of its membership but who might be considering joining? Do they feel welcome?

5.    Read Galatians 6:1[2]. Does helping others who have fallen into sin make us more prone to sin ourselves? Surely, we should recognize the general principle that Christians should constantly watch against temptation. How do we warn others about their sins without seeming judgmental? (Read Galatians 6:3.)[3]

6.    Is there a difference between a mistake and a sin? The words describing church members who inadvertently commit sin are revealing. The Greek word suggests that they are “overtaken” or “surprised” to find themselves once again sinning. Sins are a trap! (Proverbs 5:22)[4] Is it ever appropriate to lie? When you are feeling terrible in the morning, do you still respond, “I’m fine”? If someone looks really bad, do you tell him/her so?

7.    What does the Bible teach us about unintentional sins and intentional sins? Read Numbers 15:22-29[5]. There are very clear instructions about unintentional sins. But, what does the Bible say about intentional sins?

8.    Consider this passage written by Moses:

Numbers 15:30-31: 30 But any person who sins deliberately, whether he is a native or a foreigner, is guilty of treating the LORD with contempt, and he shall be put to death, 31because he has rejected what the LORD said and has deliberately broken one of his commands. He is responsible for his own death.—American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation* (2nd ed., Numbers 15:30-31). New York: American Bible Society.

9.    Immediately after that, Moses described the case of someone who intentionally broke the Sabbath. (Numbers 15:32-36)[6] At God’s command he was stoned to death outside the camp. Paul also talked about dealing with defiant sins. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5)[7] What about David’s sins? Why do you think Bathsheba had been married for some time to Uriah and had not gotten pregnant? If she had gotten pregnant during that time, she would have been at home with her child and would not have gotten involved with David. Did God, knowing the future, keep Bathsheba from getting pregnant so that when she had that affair with David she would get pregnant and David would not be able to hide? Or, did the Devil keep her from getting pregnant? The same thing could be asked about Judah and Tamar. (Genesis 38)

10.    Does repentance change a sin from being intentional to unintentional? (See Psalms 51.)[8]

11.    It seems that God’s plan was for intentional sins to be taken very, very seriously. How many of our sins are unintentional? The word in Galatians 6:1 translated as fault or sin comes from the Greek word paraptoma and does not describe a deliberate sin but rather an unintentional mistake. What about habitual sins? Are they ever unintentional?

12.    So, how should the church respond to lapses in righteousness when it is a church member who is caught in unintentional sins? It is the work of the church-like the work of a hospital-to restore such a person. The Greek word katartizo which is used in this passage is the word also used for mending nets or even for setting broken bones.

13.    In our day, how often do we follow the advice Jesus Himself gave in Matthew 18:15-17[9]? Have you ever seen that done in your church? Do we reach out to our fellow church members, putting our arms around them when they sin, restoring them? Or, do we talk about them behind their backs? Or, even despise them in our hearts? How did God deal with Nadab and Abihu? (Leviticus 10:1-11[10]) Korah, Dathan, and Abiram? (Numbers 16[11]) Uzzah? (2 Samuel 6:1-8)[12] Ananias and Sapphira? (Acts 5)[13] What about Peter’s sin? (Mark 14:27-31,66-72)[14]

So with the apostasy at Sinai. Unless punishment had been speedily visited upon transgression, the same results would again have been seen. The earth would have become as corrupt as in the days of Noah. Had these transgressors been spared, evils would have followed, greater than resulted from sparing the life of Cain. It was the mercy of God that thousands should suffer, to prevent the necessity of visiting judgments upon millions. In order to save the many, He must punish the few. Furthermore, as the people had cast off their allegiance to God, they had forfeited the divine protection, and, deprived of their defense, the whole nation was exposed to the power of their enemies. Had not the evil been promptly put away, they would soon have fallen a prey to their numerous and powerful foes. It was necessary [326] for the good of Israel, and also as a lesson to all succeeding generations, that crime should be promptly punished. And it was no less a mercy to the sinners themselves that they should be cut short in their evil course. Had their life been spared, the same spirit that led them to rebel against God would have been manifested in hatred and strife among themselves, and they would eventually have destroyed one another. It was in love to the world, in love to Israel, and even to the transgressors, that crime was punished with swift and terrible severity.—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets* 325.3. [Bold type is added.] (Consider the story of Achan as recorded in Joshua 7.)

14.    The God of the Old Testament was Jesus. (1 Corinthians 10:10-4; Luke 24:44; John 5:39-40)[15] So, we must understand these statements while understanding that Jesus was the One who guided Moses, and Joshua, etc. There are some who do not believe that God would ever cause the death of anyone, even in the first death. They often use statements from Ellen White concerning the death of sinners in the final destruction to support their views concerning the first death. This is a question that each of us must think through very carefully for ourselves. I would recommend the reading of the handout entitled The Final End of Sin and Sinners found at our website www.Theox.org for a better understanding of this whole issue. (Use the search option or go to Teacher’s Guides, then look for General Topics, then go to “The Final End of Sin and Sinners.”)

15.    Have you ever found yourself condemning another church member-even secretly in your thoughts-when you discover s/he has committed some sin? How often have you found yourself guilty of that same sin a short time later? Is that why we have the common expression in the English language, “It takes one to know one”? Compare Matthew 7:1-5.[16]

16.    Who is the worst sinner? Is it the one who commits an unintentional sin? Or, the one who, filled with spiritual pride, condemns that person in his heart? Does this sound like the Pharisees in the New Testament? Do we as church members actually consistently practice the golden rule? (Matthew 7:12)[17] Why is spiritual pride such a serious problem for Christians? Why did Jesus choose certain women as His followers? (Luke 8:1-3)[18] Or, did they choose Him? How do you feel about Jesus and His disciples traveling around with a former prostitute and some wealthy society women? Were they all saints? Remember that every person who has died will be judged fairly by God.

17.    Why do you suppose Paul in Galatians 5:14 and Romans 13:8,10[19] said that if we love our neighbors as ourselves, we have fulfilled all law? Is that really true? If we really did that, would we eliminate all gender, racial, tribal, and class distinctions?

18.    In Galatians 6:1[20], Paul did an interesting thing. The Greek verb in the first portion of the verse is in the second person plural. But, when Paul talked about looking after our own selves, he turned to the second person singular, meaning that each Christian is to take this personally.

19.    We do not know if Paul had a specific sin or incident in the church at Galatia in mind when he gave this instruction. It may be just a general form of instruction. But, there are plenty of examples, even in the lives of Bible heroes, of being caught in serious sins.

20.    David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle. Was that an unintentional sin? When Nathan the prophet came to confront David concerning this sin, how did David respond? How would you have responded? (2 Samuel 12; Psalms 51; 32[21]) Moses was a murderer before spending 40 years as a shepherd. (Exodus 2:14; Acts 7:28[22])

21.    Peter swore to Jesus that he would follow Him even to death if necessary. A few hours later, he realized that he had denied his Lord three times! Were those intentional lies? (Matthew 26:34)[23]

22.    Unfortunately, we were all born with sinful natures. It is so easy to be filled with spiritual pride and conceit when we think that others have fallen into sin and we are still standing. 1 Corinthians 10:12[24] warns us to beware when we think we are standing lest we fall.

23.    It has been almost 2000 years since Christ came the first time. Why hasn’t He come back?

Why hasn’t the gospel been preached to all the world for a witness to all nations? (Matthew 24:14) Don’t we have more evidence than any previous generation? How should our experience compare with that of Adam and Eve who walked with God in the garden? Or, with the disciples who spent years with Jesus in person?

24.    Instead of using sinful humans, wouldn’t it have been better for God to use angels who could even appear on this earth as human beings to spread the gospel? Wouldn’t they have represented God and told the truth more clearly than we erring, sinful, human beings have done? But, it would take away our opportunity to grow by witnessing. God could even have asked beings from the other worlds to come and finish the gospel on His behalf. No doubt, there are other ways God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, could have done it Himself. Part of the problem is that it is much harder to unlearn something that we have come to believe and trust as truth than it is to learn something new. Are we committed to erroneous pictures of God?

25.    But, God has chosen to involve us for several reasons. First of all, in order to speak the truth to someone else, we need to study it and learn it well enough so we can explain it clearly. The reason we need to practice witnessing to others is because in order to teach something to others, you must understand it very well yourself. That is a great opportunity for us to grow. Furthermore, our fellow human beings can see that we are humans like they are, and this should encourage them that they too are able to live a Christian life. Finally, God has given us the glorious opportunity of sharing in His work. We should consider this opportunity a precious one. What could be better than working with God to accomplish the most important task left to be done here on planet earth? What would happen if every church member took this as his top priority? Wouldn’t you love to have an hour every week to sit down with Jesus and ask questions? If God granted that, guess who would demand equal time! Will there come a day when God’s faithful people have a clear, consistent message to give to the world?

26.    Look back over the past year. How many church members can give a good explanation-with the texts to support them-of our doctrines? What kind of preparation do we need? Would God pour the latter rain on us so we can misrepresent Him?

27.    Read Galatians 6:2-5[25]. In what ways are we supposed to bear one another’s burdens? Shouldn’t it seem natural that the spiritually strong should help the spiritually weak? And surely, we are not supposed to compare ourselves with others. We should leave the judging to God.

28.    The Greek word baros in Galatians 6:2[26] originally meant a very heavy weight or load that someone had to carry a long distance. Later, this word came to have a broader meaning, describing any type of trouble or difficulty, even the burden of a long day’s work on a hot day.

29.    How do we explain the apparent contradiction between Galatians 6:2 and 6:5? The Greek word in Galatians 6:2-baros-refers to a very heavy load that needs to be carried for some distance. By contrast, the Greek word phortion used in Galatians 6:5, refers to a ship’s cargo, a soldiers backpack, or even a child in the womb. Some burdens can be set aside or jointly carried. Some cannot. It is not possible for a pregnant women to share the burden of carrying her child. Some burdens can only be shared with the Lord. But, He is always there to help us.

30.    There are several important principles we should have in mind when we consider this injunction from Paul. First of all, no Christian is exempt from burdens. We all have them. They might even involve a physical ailment, a mental disorder, or crises at work or in the family, a lack of employment, or, perhaps, demonic oppression.

31.    Secondly, clearly, God does not intend for us to bear all our burdens alone. (Matthew 11:28-30[27]) So many of us are proudly self-sufficient. We are not even willing to accept the help which is offered to us. This is a form of spiritual pride; it should be avoided.

32.    God asks us to help bear the burdens of other Christians because that is a great way to develop camaraderie and to make God’s comfort manifest to others. God intentionally works through us. (2 Corinthians 7:6)[28]

33.    Have you ever been in difficulty or had a burden you were afraid you could not bear but were afraid to ask anyone for help? Why does that happen? Pride, shame, lack of trust, even a sense of self-sufficiency are sins that could bar us from the kingdom of heaven.

34.    How should church discipline be handled? Clearly, if we are to follow the instructions of Jesus recorded in Matthew 18 and the instruction of Paul noted in Galatians 6, we should make every effort to restore those who have fallen. There should be no vindictive punishment involved.

35.    Consider the case of the woman taken in adultery as described in John 8. The church should be a hospital for sinners and not just a club for saints. We may feel zealous for the church’s reputation, and we may think that ridding ourselves of an erring member will protect that reputation. Such a course of action may be necessary in the case of public and recalcitrant sinners; but, it is certainly the final step and should never be done as a first step.

36.    Remember that the best hospitals tend to have the sickest patients. The church and church members should forcefully battle sin and not sinners. Or, do we think that the church should only admit to its membership people who are in the best possible standing in society so our church has a good reputation?

37.    What is “the law of Christ” which Paul spoke about in Galatians 6:2? (Compare John 13:34-35.[29]) This expression is unique in the New Testament. Various attempts have been made to explain the meaning of this expression. Some would even suggest that the law of Christ was given to replace the Ten Commandments which is called the law of Moses. Others have suggested that it is a general principle describing the way in which Christians are to help bear the burdens of others. Of course, this is an excellent idea; but, in context, the similarity with Galatians 5:14[30] suggests that we should fulfill the moral law-the Ten Commandments-by exercising love. (Romans 13:8,10)[31]

38.    In light of how Jesus dealt with sinners, what approach should the church take? If we followed the example of Christ, would we ever go wrong?

39.    Read Galatians 6:6-10[32]. In Galatians 6:7, there is another unique Greek word. The word translated mocked in the King James Version is not found anywhere else in the New Testament. It means “to turn up one’s nose in contempt.” It is found in several places in the Greek translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint (LXX) and usually referred to the despising of God’s prophets. (2 Chronicles 36:16; Jeremiah 20:7)[33]

40.    In the Christian life, what does it mean to reap what you sow? Do we always consider the fact that we will reap what we sow when we commit sin? We do not have the option of choosing the consequences! Look at some biblical characters who illustrate this point. Compare Ananias (Acts 5:1-5); Judas (Luke 22:1-3); and Daniel (Daniel 1:8)[34]. While we do not have the privilege of choosing the consequences of our bad choices, we must always remember that God still loves us and still forgives us.

41.    In Galatians 6:10, Paul essentially said that while Christians should be reaching out with Christian love to everyone in the world, this should especially be true toward other members in the family of faith. Is that discriminatory? Shouldn’t we be reaching out to others outside the church?

42.    In our modern world, there is a great deal of effort and time put into investing financially to prepare for our futures. Are we doing as much investing in the gospel? The lives of sinners are far more important than any bank account or 401(k). Unfortunately, the church’s efforts to reach out to sinners tend to be haphazard and not well-organized. How can we improve that record? What can we do as individuals to reach out to those who are in need?

43.    How can we reach out to business associates, neighbors, and even strangers when the opportunity presents itself? Unfortunately, we often find that we are so busy carrying out our personal business and even the business of the church that there is little time to do the things which are really important.

44.    God gives us freedom. That freedom can be exercised or abused. Daily, we can take steps in the right direction, becoming more and more like Jesus, reaching out to others around us, and helping to spread the gospel, and thus, finish the work that Jesus left us to do. Or, we can be caught up in the many, many busy activities of our world and allow our work, our entertainment, even our families to occupy us so completely that there is little opportunity to speak on God’s behalf.

The Spirit of God keeps evil under the control of conscience. When man exalts himself above the influence of the Spirit, he reaps a harvest of iniquity.

Over such a man the Spirit has less and less influence to restrain him from sowing seeds of disobedience. Warnings have less and less power over him.

He gradually loses his fear of God. He sows to the flesh; he will reap corruption. The harvest of the seed that he himself has sown, is ripening. He has a contempt for God’s holy commandments. His heart of flesh becomes a heart of stone. Resistance to truth confirms him in iniquity. It is because men sowed seeds of evil, that lawlessness, crime, and violence prevailed in the antediluvian world.

All should be intelligent in regard to the agency by which the soul is destroyed. It is not because of any decree that God has sent out against man. He does not make man spiritually blind. God gives sufficient light and evidence to enable man to distinguish truth from error. But He does not force man to receive truth. He leaves him free to choose the good or to choose the evil. If man resists evidence that is sufficient to guide his judgment in the right direction, and chooses evil once, he will do this more readily the second time. The third time he will still more eagerly withdraw himself from God and choose to stand on the side of Satan. And in this course he will continue until he is confirmed in evil, and believes the lie he has cherished as truth. His resistance has produced its harvest.—Ellen G. White, Manuscript 126, 1901*; 6SDABC* 1112.5; Sermons and Talks,* vol. 2, 183.4; Christ Triumphant* 103.4.

45.    How are we doing? If every church member was like you, would the gospel be finished sooner? Or, never? Think about it!

© 2017, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version.    Info@theox.org

1-Gal 6:1-10 NIV Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. (2) Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (3) If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. (4) Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, (5) for each one should carry their own load. (6) Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (7) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (8) Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (9) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Mat 18:15-17 NIV "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. (16) But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' (17) If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

1Co 10:12 NIV So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

Rom 15:1 NIV We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Joh 13:34-35 NIV "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (35) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Luk 22:3 NIV Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.

2-Gal 6:1 NIV Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

3-Gal 6:3 NIV If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

4-Pro 5:22 NIV The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.

5-Num 15:22-29 NIV "'Now if you as a community unintentionally fail to keep any of these commands the LORD gave Moses-- (23) any of the LORD's commands to you through him, from the day the LORD gave them and continuing through the generations to come-- (24) and if this is done unintentionally without the community being aware of it, then the whole community is to offer a young bull for a burnt offering as an aroma pleasing to the LORD, along with its prescribed grain offering and drink offering, and a male goat for a sin offering. (25) The priest is to make atonement for the whole Israelite community, and they will be forgiven, for it was not intentional and they have presented to the LORD for their wrong a food offering and a sin offering. (26) The whole Israelite community and the foreigners residing among them will be forgiven, because all the people were involved in the unintentional wrong. (27) "'But if just one person sins unintentionally, that person must bring a year-old female goat for a sin offering. (28) The priest is to make atonement before the LORD for the one who erred by sinning unintentionally, and when atonement has been made, that person will be forgiven. (29) One and the same law applies to everyone who sins unintentionally, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner residing among you.

6-Num 15:32-36 NIV While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. (33) Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, (34) and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. (35) Then the LORD said to Moses, "The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp." (36) So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD commanded Moses.

7-1Co 5:1-5 NIV It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father's wife. (2) And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? (3) For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. (4) So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, (5) hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

8-Psa 51:1-19 NIV For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. (2) Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (3) For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (4) Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. (5) Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. (6) Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. (7) Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (8) Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. (9) Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. (10) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (11) Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. (12) Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (13) Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. (14) Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. (15) Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. (16) You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. (17) My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. (18) May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. (19) Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

9-Mat 18:15-17 NIV "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. (16) But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' (17) If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

10-Lev 10:1-11 NIV Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. (2) So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. (3) Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: "'Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.'" Aaron remained silent. (4) Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel, and said to them, "Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary." (5) So they came and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses ordered. (6) Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, "Do not let your hair become unkempt and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the LORD will be angry with the whole community. But your relatives, all the Israelites, may mourn for those the LORD has destroyed by fire. (7) Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting or you will die, because the LORD's anointing oil is on you." So they did as Moses said. (8) Then the LORD said to Aaron, (9) "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, (10) so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, (11) and so you can teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses."

11-Num 16:1-50 NIV Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites--Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth--became insolent (2) and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. (3) They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly?" (4) When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. (5) Then he said to Korah and all his followers: "In the morning the LORD will show who belongs to him and who is holy, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses he will cause to come near him. (6) You, Korah, and all your followers are to do this: Take censers (7) and tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them before the LORD. The man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!" (8) Moses also said to Korah, "Now listen, you Levites! (9) Isn't it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the LORD's tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them? (10) He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too. (11) It is against the LORD that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?" (12) Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. But they said, "We will not come! (13) Isn't it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? And now you also want to lord it over us! (14) Moreover, you haven't brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Do you want to treat these men like slaves? No, we will not come!" (15) Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, "Do not accept their offering. I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them." (16) Moses said to Korah, "You and all your followers are to appear before the LORD tomorrow--you and they and Aaron. (17) Each man is to take his censer and put incense in it--250 censers in all--and present it before the LORD. You and Aaron are to present your censers also." (18) So each of them took his censer, put burning coals and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. (19) When Korah had gathered all his followers in opposition to them at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire assembly. (20) The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, (21) "Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once." (22) But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and cried out, "O God, the God who gives breath to all living things, will you be angry with the entire assembly when only one man sins?" (23) Then the LORD said to Moses, (24) "Say to the assembly, 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.'" (25) Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. (26) He warned the assembly, "Move back from the tents of these wicked men! Do not touch anything belonging to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins." (27) So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children and little ones at the entrances to their tents. (28) Then Moses said, "This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: (29) If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the LORD has not sent me. (30) But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt." (31) As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart (32) and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. (33) They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. (34) At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, "The earth is going to swallow us too!" (35) And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. (36) The LORD said to Moses, (37) "Tell Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, to remove the censers from the charred remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy-- (38) the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives. Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the LORD and have become holy. Let them be a sign to the Israelites." (39) So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned to death, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, (40) as the LORD directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the LORD, or he would become like Korah and his followers. (41) The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. "You have killed the LORD's people," they said. (42) But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared. (43) Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the tent of meeting, (44) and the LORD said to Moses, (45) "Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once." And they fell facedown. (46) Then Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has started." (47) So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. (48) He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. (49) But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. (50) Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, for the plague had stopped.

12-2Sa 6:1-8 NIV David again brought together all the able young men of Israel--thirty thousand. (2) He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark. (3) They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart (4) with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. (5) David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals. (6) When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. (7) The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God. (8) Then David was angry because the LORD's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

13-Act 5:1-42 NIV Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. (2) With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. (3) Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? (4) Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God." (5) When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. (6) Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. (7) About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. (8) Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." (9) Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." (10) At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. (11) Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. (12) The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. (13) No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. (14) Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. (15) As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. (16) Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed. (17) Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. (18) They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. (19) But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. (20) "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people all about this new life." (21) At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin--the full assembly of the elders of Israel--and sent to the jail for the apostles. (22) But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, (23) "We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." (24) On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. (25) Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people." (26) At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. (27) The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. (28) "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." (29) Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings! (30) The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead--whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. (31) God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. (32) We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (33) When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. (34) But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. (35) Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. (36) Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. (37) After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. (38) Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. (39) But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (40) His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (41) The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (42) Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

14-Mar 14:27-31 NIV "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' (28) But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." (29) Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." (30) "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "today--yes, tonight--before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times." (31) But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.

Mar 14:66-72 NIV While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. (67) When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said. (68) But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway. (69) When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." (70) Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." (71) He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about." (72) Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.

15-Luk 24:44 NIV He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Joh 5:39-40 NIV You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, (40) yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

16-Mat 7:1-5 NIV "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. (2) For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (3) "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (4) How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? (5) You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

17-Mat 7:12 NIV So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

18-Luk 8:1-3 NIV After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, (2) and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; (3) Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

19-Gal 5:14 NIV For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Rom 13:8 NIV Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Rom 13:10 NIV Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

20-Gal 6:1 NIV Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

21-2Sa 12:1-31 NIV The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. (2) The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, (3) but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. (4) "Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him." (5) David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die! (6) He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity." (7) Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. (8) I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. (9) Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. (10) Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.' (11) "This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. (12) You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.'" (13) Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. (14) But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die." (15) After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. (16) David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. (17) The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. (18) On the seventh day the child died. David's attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, "While the child was still living, he wouldn't listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate." (19) David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" he asked. "Yes," they replied, "he is dead." (20) Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. (21) His attendants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!" (22) He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' (23) But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." (24) Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; (25) and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah. (26) Meanwhile Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal citadel. (27) Joab then sent messengers to David, saying, "I have fought against Rabbah and taken its water supply. (28) Now muster the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture it. Otherwise I will take the city, and it will be named after me." (29) So David mustered the entire army and went to Rabbah, and attacked and captured it. (30) David took the crown from their king's head, and it was placed on his own head. It weighed a talent of gold, and it was set with precious stones. David took a great quantity of plunder from the city (31) and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes, and he made them work at brickmaking. David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then he and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.

Psa 51:1-19 NIV For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. (2) Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (3) For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (4) Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. (5) Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. (6) Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. (7) Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (8) Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. (9) Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. (10) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (11) Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. (12) Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (13) Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. (14) Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. (15) Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. (16) You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. (17) My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. (18) May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. (19) Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Psa 32:1-11 NIV Of David. A maskil. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. (2) Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. (3) When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. (4) For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. (5) Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD." And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (6) Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. (7) You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (8) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (9) Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. (10) Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. (11) Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

22-Exo 2:14 NIV The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."

Act 7:28 NIV Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'

23-Mat 26:34 NIV "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

24-1Co 10:12 NIV So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

25-Gal 6:2-5 NIV Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (3) If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. (4) Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, (5) for each one should carry their own load.

26-Gal 6:2 NIV Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

27-Mat 11:28-30 NIV "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

28-2Co 7:6 NIV But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

29-Joh 13:34-35 NIV "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (35) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

30-Gal 5:14 NIV For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

31-Rom 13:8 NIV Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Rom 13:10 NIV Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

32-Gal 6:6-10 NIV Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (7) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (8) Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (9) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

33-2Ch 36:16 NIV But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.

Jer 20:7 NIV You deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me.

34-Act 5:1-5 NIV Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. (2) With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. (3) Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? (4) Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God." (5) When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

Luk 22:1-3 NIV Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, (2) and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. (3) Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.

Dan 1:8 NIV But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

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