Friday, January 5, 2024

January 5th - What Manner of Spirit are You?

Thinking today about the "kind of spirit" I find in myself in from time to time.

"...they went and they entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him (Jesus). But they did not receive Him...when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them? But he turned and rebuked them, and said, You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:54-56 NASB)

Nebuchadnezzar had this "kind of spirit" and so he built a furnace of fire for those who would not fall down and worship him...

“Then the herald loudly proclaimed, Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (Daniel 3:4-6)

The “spirit” of God that Scripture says humanity should have produces good fruit...

"...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..." (Galatians 5:22)

Paul warned the believers in Corinth that "another Jesus" was being proclaimed among them.

“For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed…” (2 Corinthians 11:4)

In my perspective, this other Jesus Paul is still being proclaimed today, a Jesus who will cast all unbelievers into hell to be eternally tormented.
The "wrath" of God is death, not a blazing furnace.

“God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through him…For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:8-9; 6:22-23)

The real Jesus is the “Savior of the world”, not its condemner. When you meet Him you will declare with the Samaritans...

"We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)


"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:17)

So, if you think eternal conscious torment in hell is the right thing for God and Jesus to do to unbelieving sinners...you might consider "what manner of spirit you are of"

December 23rd - Merry Christmas Israel!

"For a Boy, He is born to us; a Son, He is given to us, and the Chieftainship shall come to be on His shoulder, and one shall call His ...