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I pray for them: I pray not for the world; destruction at work in the world outside

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   I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. John 17:9 KJV The world seems here to signify all mankind, for whom Christ in this place doth not pray; though some interpret it of reprobates, others of unbelievers. Christ afterward prayed for the world, Jn.17:20; that is, for such who, though they at present were unbelievers, yet should be brought to believe by the apostles’ ministry.  But to teach us to distinguish in our prayer, our Saviour here distinguishes, and prayeth for some things for his chosen ones, which he doth not pray for on the behalf of others: these he described to be such as his Father (whose they were) had given him, either by an eternal donation, or by working faith in them. Jn.17:19 (Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, vol. 3 (New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1853), 368.) In the midst of modern conveniences and sophisticated technology, the church finds it more and more difficult to live in
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The Self-Convicted Moralists

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    The Consequences of Judging Others   Jesus is clear that his followers should not engage in condemning judgment toward others. And throughout his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about how he clearly sees our inner motivations—the hidden realities that shape our lives—in a way that no else can. He takes into account our grief, our disappointment, our desire to be noticed, our worry about the future, and our sincere desire to please God.  So when we look down on another person, we act as though we can see their inner realities just as clearly. We end up playing God. And we know from the beginning of the whole story, back in Gen. 1-3, that playing God never works well. Remember how humans bring corruption and death upon themselves precisely because they try to determine right and wrong apart from God, according to what is good or bad in their own eyes. In Genesis, and in Jesus’ teaching, we can hear God saying, “As finite beings, you do not have what it takes to make such complex jud
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predestination foreknowledge effectual calling: is according to God’s purpose

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  God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs And works his sovereign will. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. William Cowper  Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name. 1 Ch. 29:10–13  Fi
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Peter’s confession

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    Now when Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he began asking his disciples, saying, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” 17 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it! Mt 16:13–18 LEB The functions of Torah are totally subsumed by Jesus: he reveals God’s will, he judges, he offers the spirit, he gives light, he sets free, he gives life. What; Torah was as a text, Jesus is as living Son: God’s Word. David Arthur deSilva, An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and
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