(07-20-2020, 10:30 PM)searchinmyroots Wrote: ImAHebrew,
No, I don't have an HTML editor, sorry about that.
The best verses I use are usually ones like II Chronicles 7:14 -
"And My people, upon whom My name is called, humble themselves and pray and seek My presence and repent of their evil ways, I shall hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land."
and others that share that same message.
It clearly shows we don't need to shed blood to be forgiven and we have a direct connection with the Almighty.
If they don't change the subject or jump to another verse (rather quickly I may add), I've heard them say - "Oh, but that's the Old Testament".
No kidding!
Shalom Searchinmyroots, that's ok about the editor, I'll survive. And yeah, you are right on about forgiveness, and here is one I always use, and there is NO shedding of blood here either:
Yechezkel Chapter 18
21 And if the wicked man repent of all his sins that he has committed and keeps all My laws and executes justice and righteousness, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he has committed shall not be remembered regarding him: through his righteousness that he has done he shall live.
23 Do I desire the death of the wicked? says the Lord G-d. Is it not rather in his repenting of his ways that he may live?
Another one of their tricks is to tell us that they have a substituted righteousness that saves them. More or less, their "savior" kept all of the commands for them in their stead and his righteousness is transferred to them and that saves them. I always bring up these two verses when they tell me that:
Yechezkel Chapter 14
14 Now should these three men be in its midst-[namely] Noah, Daniel, and Job-they would save themselves with their righteousness, says the Lord G-d.
20 And Noah, Daniel, and Job are in its midst, as I live, says the Lord G-d, if they will save a son or a daughter; they with their righteousness would save themselves.
It is very obvious that our Creator is not in the business of substituting righteousness, even if it is for a close family member. Blessings in The Name, ImAHebrew.