CONTEXT! "Whatever the context is you definitely took that verse out of it!"

Anonymous makes a good point: 

Gal 3:10 is a justification they use to keep the law, to me it appears to be a contradiction. First it says one is cursed if they keep the law and at the end it says one is cursed if they don't continue to keep it. I know one has to put it in line with other scriptures but so do they so one could come out with 2 different interpretations. 

Galatians 3: 

¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

¹¹ But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."

Reading the entire chapter of Galatians 3 around verse 10 will make the context clear of course. Law Bad/Faith Only Good.  However, one indeed can hunt around for Pauline statements that appear to undo this concept and revert back to the need to keep law. I suspect it is why Paul was sometimes "hard to understand" and a reason some could pick and choose the concept they liked the best. Law or Grace, Law or Faith only.  

A personal favorite

Proof Texting, Scripture Cobbling, Wishful thinking and taking scripture completely out of their original context is a way the Churches of God and most literalists Christians "search the scriptures to see is these things be so."  It is a natural consequence of a Book that mixes much that any human being could  agree with or wish to be so , with Bronze and Iron Age insanities and inanities.   It's why we end up with whole churches and denominations straining at their gnats and choking on their camels. It's also how we end up with the dangerous and terribly ignorant theologies of the Packs and Flurrys or religion gone nuts that will not end well should they continue much longer. 

As a harmless example, All of Matthew's 7 "Fulfillment Statements" in Matthew 2 also fall into the category of tale weaving by taking Old Testament Scriptures grossly out of context to tell a new story. 

While he harmlessly weaves a tale of how he thinks Jesus was born, other tale weavers doing the same can be very dangerous in the wrong hands and mindset. Dave Pack, again,  comes to mind. Dave vomited 144 scripturally concocted sermons that contained zero reality, wasting hundreds of hours and causing tens of thousands of useless gyrations in seats that never should have anyone in them to begin with. It's what he does and if ever a man took scripture out of context it is Dave, the Master of Theological Spin. Flurry is a close second with all others we know well not far behind. 

  While Matthew wrote in  an accepted writing style of the day (Midrash) used to tell a story the facts of which one did not actually know, it is not a way of getting at the truth of an event or matter. 

Many take scriptures out of their historical, political and cultural context to the harm of many. It is perfectly acceptable to recognize that what the Bible said back then does not either apply now nor should it.  The  perfect time in history was not the Bronze or Iron Age nor the mentalities of the day the ideal for Christians today. "You've come a long way baby" applies to our world of knowledge having been increased, which in spite of what scripture implies about that, is a very good thing. 

 

Living Church of God: Still waiting, as they remain cursed by the law

Rod McNair recently had short little blurb up from LCG's Church Administration (CAD). In it, as usual, Old Testament passages still reign supreme.  There is rarely scant mention of New Testament or new covenant teachings. The men and women of Jesus time and after him are not as worthy of mentioning as are the prophets and sages in Hebrew scriptures.

Below is McNair's take on Lamentations.  Where would a COG story be without first mentioning unbridled destruction, starvation and dead bodies everywhere, before something heartwarming can be mentioned?

The verses McNair quotes and finds to be his favorite, is all about waiting.  Waiting for salvation.  The Church of God has been waiting for 8 decades now. Wait, wait, wait, the mantra for the church.  Constantly turning their backs on Jesus has left them unable to understand what he accomplished, especially about the "waiting" part.

LCG members must wait patiently as LCG leaders abuse them or treat them like dirt.  LCG members are supposed to look at the bad treatment as suffering for their salvation.  After all, they are under government and how dare anyone question the leadership's abuses.  Plus, it is all a test by their god to deliberately see if they are worthy. They are too blind to understand that that worthiness has already been settled.

His Compassions Are New Every Morning

The Book of Lamentations is a raw and unfiltered description of the horrific destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The book describes the Temple destroyed, gates of the city broken down, children starving for lack of food, and dead bodies lying in the streets. In one sense, this book is one of the unlikeliest places you’d think you’d find encouragement! And yet, to me, it contains one of the most comforting and hopeful passages in all the Bible. It’s in Lamentations 3:22-26: “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness…. The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD” (Lamentations 3:22-26). When we are in sore trials we must not forget God’s power, faithfulness and mercies. He is there. He sees all. He understands our suffering. We must wait patiently, and learn every lesson we can. He loves us—and He will intervene.

When you are in trouble, remember those inspired and comforting words: “His compassions fail not—they are new every morning”!

Have an encouraging Sabbath,

Rod McNair

Contrast that with the followers of Jesus who already know they have salvation assured to them.  They go about life with firm assurance, that salvation is already being experienced.

Galatians 2:16

Know that a person is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

 Galatians 3:10

All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

Galatians 3:24

So the law was put in charge of us until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:23

Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.

Galatians 4:21

Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 

Galatians 2:4

This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.

Galatians 3:11

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because "the righteous will live by faith."

Galatians 5:4

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Galatians 3:11

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because "the righteous will live by faith."

Galatians 3:12

The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, "Whoever does these things will live by them."

Galatians 3:25

Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

John 5:24

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Living Church of God, DBA Debbie Downer Church of God

Gospel means good news, but not for Debbie Downer at LCG.

Many have watched recent news reports of the raging fires destroying communities in California. The number of lives lost, acres burned, homes destroyed, and missing persons climbs day by day. Throughout history, including Biblical history, fire has consumed many cities.

2018 has been a particularly destructive year for fires in California, following several years of record-breaking drought. The extremely dry conditions, coupled with strong Santa Ana winds, are the perfect ingredients for uncontrollable wildfires.

Fire is used in the Bible as a symbol of judgment, punishment, and destruction of evil (2 Thessalonians 1:5–10; Revelation 20:14). As an example, many are familiar with the judgment and destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah for the sins of the inhabitants. The Lord revealed to Abraham that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was very grievous (Genesis 18:20). The very few righteous in the city—Lot, his wife, and their two daughters—were removed before the cities’ destruction by fire and brimstone raining from the sky (Genesis 19:20–24).

When the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, they conquered and burned Jericho (Joshua 6:24). The Lord commanded Israel to burn some conquered cities with fire (Joshua 8:8; Numbers 31:10).

When Israel and Judah sinned (after Israel divided into two kingdoms after the death of Solomon), Jerusalem was burned with fire (2 Kings 25:9). Isaiah 29 speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem as being punished by the Lord with “… tempest and the flame of devouring fire” (v. 6). The prophet Jeremiah prophesied that the king of Babylon would burn Jerusalem (Jeremiah 21:10). God further said He would “… punish you according to the fruit of your doings…” and “…kindle a fire in its forest, and it shall devour all things around it” (v. 14). Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, destroyed Jerusalem, burning the temple in 587–586bc.

Centuries later, in 70ad, Roman emperor Titus destroyed and burned Jerusalem and the second temple.

The prophet Amos pronounced God’s judgment by fire on various nations, including Damascus (Syria), Gaza, Tyre, Bozrah and Rabbah in Jordan, Moab, and Judah (Amos 1:4, 7, 10, 12 and 14; Amos 2:2, 5).

The prophet Ezekiel warns the modern day nations of Israel: “They shall burn your houses with fire” (Ezekiel 16:41); “They will go out from one fire, but another fire shall devour them” (Ezekiel 15:7); “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree and every dry tree in you; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be scorched by it” (Ezekiel 20:47).

Isaiah declares, “For behold, the Lord will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword the Lordwill judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many” (Isaiah 66:15–16).

We have seen the devastation and destruction of the fires in California. Fire is a destroyer, and is also a tool God has used again and again to punish and to destroy works of wickedness. Fire even symbolizes God Himself, Who is said to be a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29).

The Apostle Peter warns, “… be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles… the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:1–7). Peter concludes we should be diligent to be found “without spot and blameless” (v. 14).

With that warning in mind, be sure to read our free booklets, Restoring Original Christianity andWhat Is A True Christian? Let us be found “without spot and blameless.”

submitted by TLA

My comments:

The Living Church of God is just like Bullshit Bob's improperly named "continuing" Church of God, the Restored Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God and most of the other splinter break-aways. Their god is eternally pissed off and is just itching to wipe most of humanity off the earth.  That is the god they want you to be fearful off.  It is the god they need to keep the money flowing in as they scare members with fear and tribulation. It is the god they need so they can puff out their narcissistic chests and beat them with their fists as the great Bawana's they think they are. Fear has always been the big motivator in getting people into the church. Scare them to the point that they feel their salvation is at stake unless they heed the message of the select pastor general or chief overseer.