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DIE KWESSIE VAN STRAF – DEEL I

DIE KWESSIE VAN STRAF – DEEL I

Terwyl ek deur die land reis en Christelike beginsels vir die genesing van denke aanbied, is daar ‘n vraag wat oor en oor opduik. Twee weke gelede tydens The Good News Tour in Collegedale, TN, is hierdie vraag geopper.

Verlede week tydens ‘n Healing the Mind-seminaar in Downers Grove, IL, is hierdie vraag ook geopper. En die vraag het te doen met God wat sy ongehoorsame kinders straf. Die vraag gaan nooit oor liefdevolle dissipline, God wat optree om te red, op te voed of God wat ‘n mens op ‘n ander roete lei nie. Almal verstaan dat God, in liefde, hierdie aksies doen. Nee, die verwarring ontstaan oor God se rol in die hantering van die onberouvolles, die opstandiges, diegene wat Hom aanhoudend verwerp en nie na Hom wil terugkeer nie.

Tydens The Good News Tour het een van die sprekers passievol die idee na vore gebring dat God sonde en sondaars moet straf om regverdig te wees, dat God liefde is, maar Hy is ook regverdig. Hierdie idee dat God se geregtigheid iets anders as sy liefde is, doen geweldige skade aan die evangelie. Geregtigheid is gebaseer op die reg. Die wet van God is die wet van liefde, dus is God se geregtigheid altyd liefde. Daarom kon sy geregtigheid nooit opgewerkte, woedende wraak word nie. Dit is ‘n verdraaiing van God se karakter. God se geregtigheid is altyd ‘n manifestasie van sy liefde.

Stel jou voor hoe ‘n opreg liefdevolle ouer vir sy kind sê om nooit aan die plaagdoders in die motorhuis te raak nie, selfs waarsku: “Die dag wanneer jy dit doen, sal jy sekerlik sterf.” Op ‘n dag is die kind ongehoorsaam aan die uitdruklike instruksies van die ouer, daardie ouer se “wet”, en mors met die plaagdoders en drink selfs per ongeluk ‘n paar slukke. Nou, as gevolg van blootstelling aan hierdie gifstof ontwikkel die kind leukemie, wat vereis geregtigheid?

Sou geregtigheid vereis dat die ouer die kind laat sterf, selfs al het die ouer beenmurg wat die kind kon red? Sou geregtigheid vereis dat die ouer die kind slaan, of erger nog, die kind doodmaak om regverdig te wees, om aan die “wetlike” vereistes te voldoen wat hul gebroke “wet” vereis het? Wat sou geregtigheid vereis? Hoe lyk geregtigheid as dit op die wet van liefde gebaseer is? Wat dwing liefde die ouer om regverdiglik te doen, as die ouer bekwaam is? Natuurlik, red die kind! Net so gaan God se geregtigheid alles oor verlossing.

Leukemie is kanker en kankerselle is selle wat buite beheer voortplant en nie meer in harmonie met hul oorspronklike programmering funksioneer nie. Wat moet gebeur om u kind te red sonder om die wette van gesondheid te oortree? Die kanker moet in remissie gaan. Die kankerselle moet teruggaan na hul vorige nie-kankeragtige gesonde toestand. Wanneer dit gebeur, gaan die lewe voort sonder om die wette van gesondheid te oortree. Net so, sonder die vergieting van bloed is daar geen vergifnis van sonde nie. Sonder die vergieting van Christus se bloed sou sondigheid in die mensdom nie in remissie kon gaan nie. Christus het gekom om die mensdom te genees, om ons almal terug te plaas in harmonie met God se wet van liefde!

Maar wat as die kind, wat ongehoorsaam was toe hulle jonk was en wat besig is om aan daardie terminale siekte te sterf, nou as volwassene die beenmurgoorplanting weier, die middel weier wat die kanker in remissie sal plaas? Sou geregtigheid vereis dat die ouer dan so ‘n weerbarstige, ondankbare kind doodmaak? Waarom dring so baie dan daarop aan dat God sonde en sondaars moet straf, en leer selfs dat God sy Seun in die sondaar se plek gestraf het? Dis as gevolg van drie basiese misverstande:

MISVERSTAND 1: GOD SE WET

God se wet is natuurlik, nie opgelê nie. Misverstand vind plaas wanneer mense dink aan God se wet as opgelê of as ‘n lys van reëls sonder inherente gevolge wat uiterlik deur God afgedwing word, dan moet God as die groot wetgewer optree om eksterne strawwe op die oortreders van die wet op te lê om regverdig te wees. Sommige redeneer dat as God nie straf oplê nie, dan sou die wet magteloos en dus nutteloos wees. Maar dit is ‘n noodlottige fout in die begrip van God se wet. God se wet is die ontwerpwet vir die lewe. Dit is die wet van liefde. Dit spruit uit die karakter van God self en is die beginsel waarop alle lewe geskep is om te werk. Dit word nie opgelê of deur wetgewing afgedwing nie.

Die wet van swaartekrag is byvoorbeeld ‘n ontwerpwet waarop die natuur geskep is om te werk. As jy van ‘n gebou af spring dan hoef God nie ‘n straf op te lê nie, want die straf is inherent, dit wil sê, jy sal heel waarskynlik sterf wanneer jy met die grond bots. Die wette van gesondheid is ontwerpwette waarop lewe gebou is om te werk. As jy besluit om op te hou eet, drink of ‘n plastieksak oor jou kop vas te bind, sal jy die wette van voeding, hidrasie of asemhaling oortree – dit is natuurwette. God sal nie ‘n straf op jou hoef te lê nie. Hy maak jou nie dood omdat jy daardie wette oortree het nie, die straf is inherent.

Net so is die wet van liefde ‘n natuurlike wet, die ontwerpprotokol vir die lewe. Dit is die wet van gee, welwillendheid, die uiterlike vloei van goedheid om ander op te hef. Alle lewe is deur God geskep om volgens hierdie beginsel te werk. Oortredings van hierdie wet lei natuurlik tot pyn, lyding en die dood. God hoef nie straf op te lê nie, die straf is inherent. God het in werklikheid sy krag gebruik om die gevolge, die straf van sonde, in toom te hou, en die mensdom tyd te gee om weer in harmonie met Hom en die wet van liefde versoen te word.

MISVERSTAND 2: DIE AARD VAN SONDE

As ons God se wet verkeerd verstaan, lei dit natuurlik tot misverstande oor sonde. Ongelukkig dink die meeste mense sonde is om God se reëls te oortree en wanneer ‘n mens God se reëls oortree, kom hulle in die moeilikheid met die reëlmaker. Die reëlmaker moet dan boetes oplê om “regverdig” te wees. Maar dit is alles verkeerd. Die waarheid is dat “sonde wetteloosheid is” (1Johannes 3:4), dit wil sê sonder wet, minus die wet, om buite die wet te lewe, in hierdie geval die wet van liefde, waarop die lewe ontwerp is om te werk. En sonde lei dus natuurlik tot die dood (Romeine 6:23, Jakobus 1:15). God hoef nie mense die dood toe te dien nie. Die straf is inherent aan sonde soos sonde ‘n mens skei van die lewenssirkel, die wet van liefde wat van God uitgaan.

MISVERSTAND 3: DIE DOEL VAN DIE KRUIS

Om die wet van God verkeerd te verstaan, en dus die aard en karakter van sonde verkeerd te verstaan, lei natuurlik tot ‘n misverstand oor die doel van die kruis. Immers, as die wet ‘n lys van reëls deur wetgewing is en dus op God se skepping afgedwing word, en sonde die reëls van hierdie wet oortree, en die probleem is dat ons in die moeilikheid is met die Een in beheer en Hy moet straf oplê om regverdig te wees, wat sou dan in so ‘n situasie nodig wees? In so ‘n situasie het ons iemand nodig om ons straf aan ‘n beledigde God te betaal sodat sy woede en toorn oor sonde te temper (verminder, versag, kalmeer) sal word. En so leer sommige dat God Jesus eintlik aan die kruis gestraf het as ons plaasvervanger. Maar dit is ook ‘n valse gevolgtrekking gebaseer op valse aannames oor God, sy karakter, sy Wet en die aard en karakter van sonde.

In werklikheid het Christus die geneesmiddel vir sonde geword en die mensdom herstel tot volmaaktheid en eenheid met God.

Wat sê die Bybel? Wat het God eintlik aan sy Seun gedoen?

“My God, my God, waarom het U my verlaat?” het Jesus uitgeroep, nie “waarom maak julle my dood, straf julle my, stel julle my tereg?” nie.

“God was in die Seun wat die wêreld met Homself versoen het” 2Kor 5:19. Dit was God wat gewerk het om te genees en te red, nie om te straf nie, nie om sy Seun tereg te stel nie.

Die Bybel het selfs geprofeteer dat die mensdom verkeerd sou verstaan, dat die mensdom sou dink dat God sy Seun tereggestel of gestraf het:

Jesaja 53:4 (NLV’11): “Tog was dit ons swakhede wat Hy gedra het. Hy het ons pyn verduur. Ons het aan hom gedink as dat God hom slaan, kasty en teister.

Let op, ons het gedink of beskou of verkeerd verstaan dat God die een was wat Jesus getref het. Maar dit was nie God nie, die Bybel het geprofeteer dat ons hierdie idees sou misverstaan.

So, as God nie aktief straf, pyn, lyding en dood op die goddeloses toedien nie, wat doen God dan aan die goddeloses? Wat doen God aan diegene wat met sonde besmet is en weier om God toe te laat om hulle te genees? Ons sal hierdie vrae in volgende week se blog beantwoord.

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Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana