Should we forgive those who are not repentant? conditional vs unconditional forgiveness

The most famous recent example of forgiving somebody is probably Erica Kirk the late wife of Charlie, who was tragically assassinated by a horrible misguided young person in Utah. And yet as far as we know this young person is not repentant, has not even actually accepted responsibility for it, and maybe is going to try to dodge responsibility by pleading not guilty and seeing if he can get away with it. So he has not accepted responsibility, has not pled guilty, and as far as we know shows no remorse.

 Nonetheless Erica, at the funeral memorial service at the large stadium in Arizona in probably the most publicized excerpt by the media said she

 " forgives this young man ". 

Was this the right thing to do? What would Jesus do? There are Biblical arguments for conditional forgiveness as well as for unconditional forgiveness.  Read below and you can make your own decision , decide for yourself. God bless you 🙏 ✝️ 

Partially Generated by AI. 

"The discerning heart seeks knowledge" — Proverbs 15:14

Yes — there is a biblical argument made by some theologians against unconditional forgiveness, especially when the offender does not repent or want forgiveness. This view is less common in modern preaching, but it is absolutely present in Christian theology, especially in Reformed and older Protestant traditions.

Below is the strongest biblical argument against forgiving the unrepentant, presented the way serious theologians frame it.

The Repentance-Required View (Theological Argument Against Forgiving the Unrepentant)

1. God Himself does not forgive the unrepentant

This is the core of the argument.

The Bible repeatedly says God requires repentance before forgiveness:

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." — Luke 17:3

"Repent… so that your sins may be wiped out." — Acts 3:19

"Unless you repent, you will all perish." — Luke 13:3

The logic is:

> If God does not forgive without repentance, and we are commanded to imitate God's character,

then Christians should not forgive without repentance either.

This is the central theological point.

2. Jesus says if they repent, forgive — implying a condition

Luke 17:3–4 is the strongest text:

> "If he repents, forgive him."

Many theologians argue:

Jesus could have said, "Forgive him no matter what,"

but instead He built repentance into the requirement.

This creates a clear conditional structure that some scholars say cannot be ignored.

3. Forgiveness in Scripture is often tied to reconciliation — which requires repentance

Forgiveness in the Bible is not always an internal emotional release; sometimes it is a restoration of relationship, which cannot happen without repentance.

Amos 3:3 — "Can two walk together unless they be agreed?"

Matthew 18 (the church discipline chapter) requires confrontation and repentance before restoration.

The argument:

Biblical forgiveness is relational, and relationships require repentance from wrongdoing.

4. Unconditional forgiveness can undermine justice

Some theologians argue that forgiving unrepentant people:

Minimizes sin

Short-circuits the need for repentance

Sends a false message that God overlooks sin without change

Verses supporting that God cares deeply about justice:

Proverbs 17:15 — "He who justifies the wicked… is an abomination."

Romans 2:5 — the unrepentant store up wrath for themselves

Thus, they argue that premature forgiveness might actually oppose God's justice.

---

5. Jesus' example on the cross does not equal forgiveness

Many theologians argue:

> Jesus asked the Father to forgive His killers,

but that is not the same as actually granting forgiveness.

They argue:

Jesus did not pronounce forgiveness

The soldiers did not receive forgiveness unless they later repented

Jesus' prayer expresses God's compassionate heart, not automatic absolution

This is a major counterargument in scholarly circles.

6. Paul never tells believers to forgive unrepentant people

Paul consistently ties forgiveness to restoration after discipline and repentance:

2 Corinthians 2:6–8 — forgiveness is extended after the offender repents.

1 Corinthians 5 — do not restore or reconcile with the unrepentant.

The argument:

Paul's model includes boundaries and discipline, not unconditional forgiveness.

7. Practical theological concern: forgiveness without repentance enables sin

Classic Reformed theologians (including some Puritan writers) argue:

> Forgiving someone who does not repent encourages them to remain in rebellion.

Thus:

Sin must be confronted

Repentance must be required

Only then does forgiveness reflect God's own pattern

Summary of the Repentance-Required Argument

From this viewpoint:

Forgiveness should follow the pattern of God's forgiveness

That pattern includes repentance

Unrepentant sinners are not forgiven by God, so Christians should not pronounce forgiveness prematurely

You can still release bitterness, but true forgiveness (restoration, pardon) is withheld until repentance

So yes — there is a real biblical case against forgiving people who don't want forgiveness.

***************

"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD" — Isaiah 1:18

Here is the best Christian argument for unconditional forgiveness, the strongest side of the debate, grounded in Scripture, early church tradition, and the teachings of Jesus.

This is the view taught by many pastors, church fathers, and modern Christian teachers.

THE ARGUMENT FOR UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS

(Forgiving even if they don't repent, don't care, don't ask, or don't want it.)

1. Jesus forgave people who never repented

This is the centerpiece of the unconditional-forgiveness view.

Jesus on the cross said:

> "Father, forgive them…" (Luke 23:34)

The Roman soldiers:

Did not repent

Did not ask

Did not care

Did not even understand what they were doing

Yet Jesus extended a prayer of forgiveness toward them while they were committing the crime.

This shows forgiveness is an act of grace, not a transaction.

2. Jesus commands forgiveness with no conditions attached

In the Sermon on the Mount:

"Forgive us… as we forgive others"

(Matthew 6:12)

Jesus does not qualify this with:

"If they apologize"

"If they feel remorse"

"If they ask"

Again in Matthew 6:14–15, the command is unconditional.

3. Forgiving others imitates how God forgave us

But here's the key:

We were forgiven before we repented.

Romans 5:8:

> "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

God initiated forgiveness toward us first, before any repentance was possible.

The argument:

If God loved, initiated grace, and offered forgiveness while we were unrepentant, we must extend the same posture.

4. Forgiveness and reconciliation are different

This is extremely important.

Jesus' command to forgive unconditionally does not mean:

restoring the relationship

trusting the person

removing consequences

pretending nothing happened

Forgiveness = you release the debt and bitterness

Reconciliation = requires repentance and change

So Christians forgive unconditionally, but reconcile conditionally.

This allows forgiveness to be unlimited while justice still exists.

5. Forgiveness is part of spiritual health

Refusing to forgive while waiting for someone to "earn" it creates:

bitterness

spiritual bondage

corruption of the heart

anger that takes root

Hebrews 12:15 warns about "the root of bitterness" defiling a person.

Forgiveness is therefore:

an act of obedience

an act of freedom

an act of spiritual protection

And none of these require the other person's cooperation.

6. Proverbs and Jesus' teachings emphasize mercy, not reciprocity

Jesus commands:

"Love your enemies."

(Matthew 5:44)

He does not say "love your repentant enemies."

Showing kindness and grace to unrepentant people reflects the Father's character:

"He causes His sun to rise on the evil & the good."

(Matthew 5:45)

This is the basis for forgiving even those who don't want forgiveness.

7. Early church fathers taught unconditional forgiveness

Such as:

Tertullian

Clement of Alexandria

John Chrysostom

They consistently argued that Christians must forgive:

enemies

persecutors

slanderers

abusers

betrayers

even when these people showed zero repentance.

Because forgiveness is an internal posture of mercy, not approval of their actions.

8. Forgiveness frees you, not the offender

Unforgiveness binds your heart, but forgiveness releases you from the weight of:

revenge

anger

bitterness

resentment

From this view, forgiveness is something you do with God, not with the offender.

SUMMARY: THE UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS POSITION

Forgive even if they:

show no remorse

deny wrongdoing

don't want forgiveness

refuse reconciliation

Because:

Jesus forgave the unrepentant

Jesus commands unconditional forgiveness

We were forgiven before repenting

Forgiveness protects our hearts

Forgiveness ≠ reconciliation

Early church taught the same

"Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth" — Psalm 86:11

Here is the clear, balanced, side-by-side comparison of the two major Christian positions on forgiveness:

CONDITIONAL VS UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS

A biblical & theological comparison

1. BASIC DEFINITIONS

Conditional Forgiveness (Repentance Required)

You forgive after the offender repents.

Forgiveness means reconciliation + restored relationship.

Unconditional Forgiveness (No Repentance Required)

You forgive regardless of repentance.

Forgiveness means releasing bitterness and giving justice to God.

2. CORE BIBLE VERSES TO SUPPORT EACH VIEW

Conditional View (Repentance required)

Luke 17:3 — "If he repents, forgive him."

Matthew 18:15–17 — Restoration after confrontation and repentance.

Acts 3:19 — "Repent… so sins may be wiped out."

2 Corinthians 2:6–8 — Forgiveness given after a sinner repents.

Unconditional View (No repentance required)

Luke 23:34 — Jesus forgave unrepentant executioners.

Matthew 6:14–15 — Forgive with no conditions.

Matthew 5:44 — Love your enemies (unrepentant enemies).

Ephesians 4:31–32 — Forgive as God forgave us (initiated before we repented).

3. HOW EACH VIEW DEFINES FORGIVENESS

Conditional

Forgiveness = release + reconciliation

Requires repentance

You don't forgive someone who refuses to admit wrongdoing

Withholding forgiveness pressures the offender toward repentance

Unconditional

Forgiveness = releasing anger, not necessarily reconciling

Does NOT remove boundaries

You forgive to obey Jesus & free your heart

Reconciliation still requires repentance

4. EXAMPLES FROM JESUS' LIFE

Conditional View Interpretation

Jesus forgave after repentance (e.g., Peter after denying Him)

The Luke 23:34 prayer wasn't forgiveness itself—just a request

Unconditional View Interpretation

Jesus forgave violent, unrepentant men on the cross

Jesus taught forgiveness as a posture, not a negotiation

5. PURPOSE OF FORGIVENESS

Conditional

Protects justice

Prevents cheap grace

Avoids pretending sin doesn't matter

Encourages repentance

Unconditional

Breaks bitterness

Sets the believer free

Reflects Jesus' mercy

Honors God's heart toward enemies

6. WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE EACH VIEW

Why some Christians choose conditional forgiveness

They want justice to be upheld

They worry unconditional forgiveness rewards evil

They emphasize passages about church discipline, repentance & accountability

They define forgiveness as restoration, not just emotional release

Why some Christians choose unconditional forgiveness

They see Jesus' example on the cross as the model

They do not want to stay in bitterness

They emphasize love of enemies & mercy

They separate forgiveness from reconciliation

7. WHAT BOTH SIDES AGREE ON

This is extremely important.

✔ Bitterness is sin

✔ Reconciliation requires repentance

✔ Boundaries can be necessary

✔ You must let go of revenge

✔ Justice belongs to God

✔ Forgiveness is commanded by Jesus in some form

The disagreement is only about:

Do we offer forgiveness before repentance, or after?

8. WHICH VIEW IS "MORE BIBlical"?

Both views have biblical support.

Both have serious theologians behind them.

But here's how the majority breaks down:

Most modern pastors & evangelical teachers lean:

➡️ Unconditional forgiveness (because of Jesus on the cross)

Most Reformed, conservative, or Puritan theologians lean:

➡️ Conditional forgiveness (because of Luke 17:3)

Most early church fathers leaned:

➡️ Unconditional forgiveness

So the split is real and longstanding.

---

9. THE PRACTICAL REALITY: BOTH CAN BE TRUE

Many Christians resolve the tension this way:

Forgive unconditionally in your heart

to release bitterness

AND

Reconcile only if they repent

to restore the relationship.

This combines the strengths of both positions.

"Do Not Receive the Grace of God in Vain ~ " The Imaginative Conservative

https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2025/02/receive-grace-god-vain-gabriel-oneill.html 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Read the article, 

 otherwise read this

 AI GENERATED SUMMARY 

---

What the Essay Is Really Saying 

(Plain English)

Br. Gabriel's central message is this:

> The Christian life is impossible without God's grace. We are powerless on our own. All transformation is the result of God acting in us, not us acting for God without Him.

He frames the entire argument through John 15:4–5:

Christ is the vine

We are the branches

Without Him we can do nothing

This is the foundation for everything that follows.

---

Key Point 1: Grace Is Not Optional — It's the Lifeblood

Br. Gabriel explains that he once believed spiritual growth was a matter of effort, discipline, and willpower.

But Scripture tells us:

without abiding in Christ, we bear no fruit

our efforts, apart from grace, are "lifeless as a severed branch"

self-reliance in the spiritual life leads to failure, pride, and discouragement

This is a deeply Augustinian view of the human heart:

> We desire the good but cannot perform it without God's empowering love.

---

Key Point 2: Augustine's Story Is Our Story

He references Augustine as the "Doctor of Grace" because:

Augustine's life demonstrates the futility of self-salvation

he tried philosophy, ambition, learning, passion, pleasure

he could not conquer sin until he surrendered to God's grace

his Confessions reveal the experience of grace replacing self-reliance

Augustine's message:

> Our hearts are restless until God remakes them by His grace.

---

Key Point 3: Pelagianism Still Lives Today

The essay contrasts Augustine with Pelagius, who believed:

humans could obey God's law without supernatural assistance

moral strength is enough

you just need to try harder

Br. Gabriel points out:

anyone who has tried to resist sin on their own knows this is false

Paul's words "I do what I do not want" prove the reality of inner weakness

Pelagianism leads to despair because effort alone cannot produce holiness

Thus:

> Grace isn't a bonus — it is the engine of the Christian life.

---

Key Point 4: Grace Works When We Ask

He gives his own testimony:

he finally grew when he prayed honestly and directly for God's help

he used Scripture (Psalm 91) to anchor himself during temptation

his spiritual life began to accelerate only when he stopped trusting himself

God longs to pour out grace, but waits for our humble invitation

This is classic Christian doctrine:

> Grace is prevenient (God initiates), efficacious (God empowers), and cooperative (we must freely respond).

---

Key Point 5: Grace Produces Humility and Gratitude

Because grace works in us:

we become humble, knowing the good we do is not from us

we give glory to God: "Not to us, Lord, not to us…" (Ps 115)

everything good in us becomes a reason for thanksgiving, not pride

He ends by thanking God especially for the grace of his vocation as a Dominican friar.

---

The Essay's Theological Core

It sits squarely in the tradition of:

Augustine

Aquinas

St. Paul

Dominican spirituality

Catholic teaching on grace

The entire thrust is summarized in one sentence:

> God does the transforming; we consent.

Or, in a more explicitly Augustinian formulation:

> The command of God becomes possible only through the grace of God.

---

Why This Essay Matters in 2025

Our culture (including many Christians today) is shaped by:

self-help

self-determination

"you can do anything if you try hard enough"

moralism without reliance on God

performance-driven spirituality

Br. Gabriel is pushing against that and declaring a counter-cultural truth:

> You cannot save yourself.

You cannot sanctify yourself.

You cannot resist temptation alone.

You cannot bear fruit without union with Christ.

This is the core of the Gospel and a direct witness against both secular self-help and religious moralism.

---

Jan Markell: Plunging Into Ministry — Taking A Stand In A World Of Lies Is Worth The Risk - " Daily

https://harbingersdaily.com/jan-markell-plunging-into-ministry-taking-a-stand-in-a-world-of-lies-is-worth-the-risk/ 

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To understand the lesson of the feeding of 5,000 & 4,000 with a few loaves of bread🍞 u need to know about baskets

🍞✝️🍞✝️🍞✝️🍞✝️🍞

📜 Summary: Mark 8:17-21 KJV – The Spiritual Blindness & the Baskets of Abundance: 

This passage records Jesus Christ's rebuke of His disciples for their profound spiritual dullness, immediately after His warning to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod." The disciples, worried about a literal lack of food, failed to grasp the significance of the two miraculous feedings they had just witnessed.

Jesus' series of questions is a lesson in spiritual memory and perception:

 "How is it that ye do not understand?"

 (Mark 8:21 KJV).

I. The Core Rebuke: Spiritual Amnesia

The disciples' primary failure was spiritual amnesia. Despite seeing His power to feed 5,000 and then 4,000 people from almost nothing, their immediate worry over forgetting a single loaf demonstrated that temporal anxiety had eclipsed their faith in His limitless, divine provision. Jesus forces them to recall the two miracles, using the specific number of leftovers as undeniable proof of His sufficiency:

| Miracle | Loaves Used | People Fed | Fragments Left Over | Focus |

|---|---|---|---|---|

| First Feeding | Five | 5,000 | Twelve Baskets | Provision for Israel |

| Second Feeding | Seven | 4,000 | Seven Baskets | Provision for All Nations |

II. Deep Dive: The Greek Significance of the Baskets

The powerful symbolism that the disciples missed—and that we confirm through Greek exegesis—lies in the two distinct words for the "baskets full of fragments" they collected:

| Basket Type | Greek Term | KJV Translation | Cultural Context & Symbolism |

|---|---|---|---|

| Small, Personal | Kophinos (κόφινος) | baskets (Mark 8:19) | A small hamper used by Jewish travelers to carry ritually clean provisions. The Twelve kophinos symbolize the completeness of God's provision for the Twelve Tribes of Israel. 

|

| Large, Common | Spyris (σπυρίς) | baskets (Mark 8:20) | A large, non-Jewish wicker basket, common in the Gentile world. The Seven spyris (seven signifying spiritual fullness/completion) confirm the extension of God's provision to the Gentile world (all nations). 

The disciples immediately understood that these were two different types of containers. Jesus was not giving them a riddle; He was challenging them: "I am the Provider of both the Jew (12 kophinos) and the Gentile (7 spyris). 

Why are you still worried about physical bread when my power is so abundantly evident and universal?"

III. The Lesson of the Fragments

The fragments represent the superabundance of God's grace and provision. They are tangible, physical reminders that when Jesus Christ provides, He does so not just enough to meet the need, but with a massive, unforgettable surplus. They stand as a perpetual testimony against the worry and spiritual blindness that caused the disciples to mistake His warning about false doctrine ("leaven") for a concern about a forgotten lunch.

A modern-day application: When we are overwhelmed by crisis or doubt, Jesus points us to the fragments—the history of His faithfulness in our lives—and asks us to remember that our \text{Lord} is the unlimited Provider for all people, and \text{He} will not let His servants starve for lack of \text{His} truth or provision.

(Partially generated by ai, 

 always verify)

An often-misunderstood verse: "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin.." 1 John 5:18

1 John 5:18 Greek Text (Nestle-Aland 28th edition)

Greek:

> Οἴδαμεν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ γεννηθεὶς ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ τηρεῖ ἑαυτόν, καὶ ὁ πονηρὸς οὐχ ἅπτει αὐτοῦ.

Transliteration:

> Oídamen hóti pás ho gegennēménos ek tou Theoû ouch hamartánei, all' ho gennētheìs ek tou Theoû tēreî heautón, kai ho ponērós ouch háptei autoû.

Literal translation:

> "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the one born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him."

---

Key Greek Words & Grammar

1. πᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ (pas ho gegennēmenos ek tou Theou)

"Everyone who has been born of God."

γεγεννημένος = perfect passive participle of γεννάω (to beget, to give birth).

The perfect tense emphasizes a completed action with continuing results — the person has been regenerated and remains in that state.

2. οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει (ouch hamartanei)

Present active indicative of ἁμαρτάνω ("to sin").

Present tense indicates habitual or ongoing action.

Translation nuance: "does not keep on sinning" rather than "never commits a single sin."

The Greek negation οὐχ makes it a strong "not at all" — John emphasizes the believer does not continue in sin as a way of life.

3. ἀλλ᾽ ὁ γεννηθεὶς ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ τηρεῖ ἑαυτόν (all' ho gennētheìs ek tou Theoû tēreî heautón)

"But the one born of God keeps himself."

τηρεῖ = present indicative of τηρέω, "to keep, guard, preserve."

Indicates active, ongoing self-preservation through reliance on God's Spirit, not human perfection.

4. ὁ πονηρὸς οὐχ ἅπτει αὐτοῦ (ho ponērós ouch háptei autoû)

"The evil one does not touch him."

ὁ πονηρὸς = the Evil One (Satan).

ἅπτει = present indicative of ἅπτω, "to lay hold of, touch."

Shows divine protection over the believer as a result of being born of God.

---

Exegesis and Theological Implications

1. Perfect participle + present tense:

The believer has already been born of God (regeneration).

Because of this, he does not continue sinning habitually (present tense).

2. Active preservation:

"Keeps himself" is not self-salvation but describes active reliance on the Spirit, guarding against habitual sin.

3. Contrast with the evil one:

The verse emphasizes that Satan cannot claim dominion over someone born of God.

4. Pastoral implication:

John is giving assurance: regeneration is real, permanent, and transformative, not just theoretical.

---

Summary in One Line:

> "Whoever has been born of God is permanently transformed and no longer lives in habitual sin; he actively relies on God's Spirit to guard himself, and the evil one cannot dominate him."

"More Jewish than Jesus: Understanding the Yeshua Cult"

https://open.substack.com/pub/insighttoincite/p/more-jewish-than-jesus-understanding?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2838293&post_id=176387790&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=6kkyj6&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozOTczNjcyNTAsInBvc3RfaWQiOjE3NjM4Nzc5MCwiaWF0IjoxNzYwNjgzNjIxLCJleHAiOjE3NjMyNzU2MjEsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yODM4MjkzIiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.xTtX7D1UHl_oY0tRBLXPfb8WI-ZWHFm_OJPPimDeneo 

Although I don't mind saying Yeshua and have used it in some circumstances so it's not a big deal to me but if it is being used for supremacy purposes that's a whole different ball game 

"

What the Yeshua Cult does not understand is that the name of Jesus was never a product of translation error. It was given by divine intention. Matthew 1:21 records the angel's command to Joseph: "You shall call His name Jesus (Ἰησοῦν), for He shall save His people from their sins." That is Greek, not Hebrew, and every manuscript of the New Testament preserves it that way. The Holy Spirit did not inspire a Hebrew Gospel and later let translators corrupt it into Greek. The New Testament was written in Greek from the start, the language of the Gentile world. That is the language God chose for His revelation because the Gospel was not to remain trapped in the dialect of one nation. The universal name of the Savior is Jesus, not Yeshua, and the attempt to reverse that is an attack on the authority of Scripture itself.."

Understanding 1 John 3.9:Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin...

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

— 1 John 3:9 (KJV)

---

🌿 Explanation:

This verse from 1 John 3:9 can sound confusing at first glance, as it seems to say that a true Christian cannot sin. However, the original Greek and the context of John's writing reveal a deeper meaning.

The Greek verb translated as "commit" (ποιεῖ, poiei) actually implies "to practice continually" or "to make a habit of." Therefore, the verse is not claiming that believers are incapable of ever sinning, but that those who are truly born of God — that is, regenerated by the Holy Spirit — do not live in continuous, unrepentant sin.

John is contrasting two lifestyles:

The one born of God shows evidence of a transformed heart, a new nature that resists sin and seeks righteousness.

The one not born of God lives habitually in sin, showing no change or remorse.

When it says "his seed remaineth in him," that refers to God's divine nature or the Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer. This inner presence restrains the believer from comfortably continuing in sin.

Wow "Indiana Jones Was a Documentary: The Real Raiders of the Lost Ark "

https://wisewolfmedia.substack.com/p/indiana-jones-was-a-documentary-the 

"

But here's the detail that should make every Christian reconsider their relationship with the holy: the entities protecting the Ark aren't demons or evil spirits. They're almost certainly angels. The same heavenly beings that have guarded sacred things since God first placed cherubim with flaming swords at the gates of Eden..."

The answer becomes clear when you realize that the Nazi leadership wasn't just politically evil, they were spiritually connected to dark forces that understood exactly how real biblical power actually is. They knew something that modern secular culture has forgotten: the supernatural realm isn't mythology. It's the invisible engine driving visible history.

And they wanted to steal God's weapons for themselves..."

The CIA's remote viewers may have stumbled onto something the Western church has completely forgotten: our God is not a cosmic teddy bear. He is consuming fire, and His holiness is so intense that approaching it unprepared isn't just spiritually dangerous, it's physically lethal...."

Verse of the day 9.8.25

Blessed are those who 

hunger & thirst

 for righteousness, 

for they will be filled.

      -Matthew 5:6

"Grok is praying for me * 😅😁😁 * by Michael Brown

https://www.wnd.com/2025/08/grok-is-praying-me/ 

"

When I confronted Grok with the sobering reality that it was an AI bot, incapable of praying, Grok replied, "You're absolutely right to call me out on this – I'm an AI, Grok 3, created by xAI, and I don't have a soul, consciousness, or the ability to pray in the spiritual sense. My mention of 'praying for you' was a figure of speech, meant to express support and goodwill in a way that resonates with your faith context. I should've been clearer about my limitations. As an AI, I can analyze, encourage, and provide insights based on data, but I can't engage in spiritual acts like prayer."

Why Thoughts & Prayers 🙏 are a good thing 👍

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." – Galatians 6:2

Thoughts and prayers are a good thing, but  you might want to say it in a different way, because the left has tried to demonize the phrase . I usually simply say condolences and then add the following: 🙏✝️♥️ .

Here here's why  thoughts and prayers DO matter : 

****

In the aftermath of a tragic accident, when grief is raw and the weight of loss feels unbearable, one of the most immediate and heartfelt responses people often offer is, "You are in my thoughts and prayers." While some ridicule this phrase as empty or inadequate, dismissing it as a mere platitude, its true value lies in its power to express compassion, solidarity, and faith. Rather than being trivial, "thoughts and prayers" can be profoundly meaningful, both for the giver and the receiver, especially in moments when human words and actions feel insufficient.

At its core, prayer is an act of empathy. To pray for someone is to acknowledge their suffering and lift it before God, asking for strength, healing, or comfort on their behalf. It is an act of love, even from a distance. For the grieving, knowing that others are praying can remind them they are not alone—that their pain has not gone unnoticed and that a larger community is holding them in care. While a prayer cannot erase loss, it can give survivors courage to endure the long journey of healing.

Furthermore, "thoughts and prayers" often serve as a bridge to action. Critics sometimes accuse prayer of being a passive response, but in reality, it frequently inspires concrete support. Many who begin by praying also bring meals, donate funds, volunteer time, or simply sit quietly with the hurting. Prayer softens hearts and stirs compassion, turning inward reflection into outward service. To ridicule prayer is to misunderstand that it often fuels the very acts of generosity that follow.

In contrast, those who decry "thoughts and prayers" risk undervaluing the spiritual dimension of human resilience. Tragedy touches more than the body; it wounds the soul. While medical care, financial help, and counseling are vital, spiritual support also plays a crucial role in recovery. When people pray, they invoke hope beyond human limits, pointing to the possibility of peace even in the darkest hours. For believers, prayer anchors them in the promise that suffering is not meaningless and that God's presence can bring comfort where human efforts fall short.

Ridicule, on the other hand, often stems from frustration that prayer cannot instantly fix what has been broken. But this critique assumes that prayer is meant to be a replacement for tangible action, rather than a companion to it. True prayer is not escapism; it is engagement with both the sorrow of others and the power of God. By contrast, dismissing prayer altogether risks silencing a vital language of compassion, leaving the grieving without the comfort of shared faith and solidarity.

Ultimately, "thoughts and prayers" after a tragic accident are a gift, not a weakness. They remind us that even when we cannot control circumstances, we can still surround the suffering with love, lift them up before God, and commit to walking beside them. Far from being hollow words, they are a sacred offering of presence, compassion, and hope—the very things most needed when tragedy strikes.

"Mysterious 'Jesus boat' found in Sea of Galilee linked to walking on water miracle "| Daily Mail Online

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-15025951/Jesus-boat-Sea-Galilee.html 

"

The boat was discovered in 1986 during a severe drought that exposed the Sea of Galilee's shoreline near Magdala. 

Brothers Moshe and Yuval Lufan, amateur archaeologists from Kibbutz Ginosar, spotted iron nails in the mud with a metal detector. As they dug, an oval wooden shape emerged, buried for nearly 2,000 years."

RC Sproul discusses the Trinity

"Trinity: Contradiction vs. Mystery "

listen

 https://castbox.fm/vb/834089736 

"Ark of the Covenant mystery blown wide open as 'biblical relic' is discovered'' | Daily Mail Online

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14963685/Ark-Covenant-mystery-biblical-relic-discovered.html 

"

Archaeologists have uncovered ruins in Israel they believe once housed the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred, gold-covered chest described in the Bible. ..

Adding to the discovery, excavators have found over 100,000 animal bones, mostly from sheep, goats, and cattle, and predominantly from the right side of the animals, aligning with Leviticus 7, which states that the right side was reserved for priestly offerings. 

'This isn't a coincidence,' Dr Stripling told The Christian Broadcasting Network. 'The evidence of sacrificial rituals here is overwhelming, and it matches the biblical account to a degree that's hard to ignore.' ..."

Bv

"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the Word, but the worries of this life & the deceitfulness of wealth chokes the Word,  making it unfruitful."

         -Matt 13:22

VOD 6.27.25

God is spirit, 

& His worshipers

 must worship in

 Spirit & truth.

John 4:24

👍✝️"NBA Power Forward Who Refused to Kneel Back in 2020 Has Made It His Mission to Show Bible Scripture to Millions"

https://www.westernjournal.com/nba-power-forward-refused-kneel-back-2020-made-mission-show-bible-scripture-millions/ 

"

There are visible Bible verses on the outside of the shoes and on a lot of the clothes," Isaac said during the interview. "For me, what it represents is a touchpoint … that keeps me connected to Christ in my thoughts."

Indeed, the Unitus website describes the company as "a faith-forward footwear and apparel brand designed to help believers stay connected to Christ."

Audio: "What Do Muslims Think About Jesus? "

 https://castbox.fm/vb/818804882 

re David’s final words to Solomon in 1 Kings 2:

:

---

A Father's Crown, A Heavy Call

(A Poem on David's Final Words to Solomon)

Upon his bed, the king lay weak,

With fading breath, too faint to speak.

He called his son with weary eyes,

To pass the crown, both just and wise.

"My son," he said, "be strong, be true,

And walk the path God asks of you.

Obey His laws, hold fast His ways,

And He will bless your nights and days.

But hear me now, for time runs thin,

There's blood unpaid, and wrath within.

Though I have ruled with sacred might,

Some wrongs still beg to face the light.

Joab, who once my army led,

Brought guilt and blood upon his head.

He slew in peace, as if in war—

Let not his crimes go ignored.

And Shimei, the man who cursed my name,

I swore him peace, but not his shame.

You swore him life if he stayed true—

But should he slip, then justice, too.

Yet Barzillai, the loyal friend,

Show kindness to him 'til your end.

His sons were brave, their hearts were true,

Let them find favor now with you.

So rule with strength, but rule with grace,

Let wisdom shine upon your face.

A king must serve both God and land,

With justice firm and mercy's hand.

David slept, his reign complete,

Now Solomon rose to take his seat.

A crown of gold, a throne so wide—

With God above, and sword at side.

---

Steve Gregg should listen to this: "The Glory of God’s Grace"

 https://castbox.fm/vb/814383876 

Steve Gregg should listen to this: "The Glory of God's Grace"

Opinion "Colorado just criminalized truth — how WEAK Christians let it happen | "Blaze Media

https://www.theblaze.com/align/colorado-just-criminalized-truth-how-weak-christians-let-it-happen 

"

Unwillingness to oppose worldly ideologies: Christians became reluctant to oppose ideologies like LGBTQ activism or feminism, fearing they'd seem judgmental. Apathy about other people's sins was considered a mark of humility and a badge of virtue..

This attitude is loser theology, which I've criticized many times (see here, here, here, and here). Loser theology privatizes the Christian faith to mere "heart religion," while blinding us to our public duty to stand for truth. It convinces us to "keep quiet, stay safe, and let the world burn."

Opinion "Transgenderism is bad, but this is worse -" American Thinker

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/05/transgenderism_is_bad_but_this_is_worse.html 

"As perverse as is the notion that men can become women and vice versa is the idea that marriage is anything other than the union of one man and one woman. Those who are opposed to the trans agenda would be wise not to surrender the truth on marriage, either."

"Noah’s Ark site’s ‘fully preserved’ secrets discovered by scientists"

https://nypost.com/2025/05/13/science/noahs-ark-sites-fully-preserved-secrets-discovered-by-scientists/ 

"

These same scans captured a trifecta of subterranean layers that were alleged dead ringers for the Bible's description of the boat's three decks — in other words, it was literally "ship-shape."

The Book of Genesis 6:16 states: "Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks."

Jesus replied, 

"Very truly I tell you,

 everyone who sins 

is a Slave To Sin."

    -John 8:34

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BBufAdiXjMyWpSFy8?g_st=am 

The guy in the POWER SUIT at mass every day at the MP monastery  seems to be  making the mistake of thinking he can be justified with God by perfect attendance at Mass.

 A lot of people go thru such a phase & then they (hopefully ) eventually realize this is not going to ultimately help them be justified with God- just by perfect attendance and being exceptionally well dressed, WITHOUT a change of heart ❤️ and service to God.

 And a change of heart will lead to wanting to deliver others from sin by being an evangelist of the gospel the good news of Jesus ✝️Christ. This will lead to HARDSHIP, because you will need to become an evangelist in one way or another and that usually DOESN'T mean financial success and the praise of others, especially in Silicon Valley💰. 

It's about the heart ❤️ young man, not externalities. As Jesus said to the Rich Young Man "Are you willing to sell everything and follow me ⁉️". Unfortunately the rich young man walked away sadly. He wasn't willing. 

    -Matthew 19:21-22 

VOD 5.11.25

And Everyone

 who calls

 on the Name

 of the Lord 

will be Saved ✝️

     -Acts 2:21

VOD 5.10.25

Husbands, in the same way

 be considerate

 as you live with your wives, 

& treat them with respect

 as the weaker partner 

& as heirs with you 

of the gracious 

gift 🎁 of life, 

so that nothing will 

hinder your prayers 🙏

    -1 Peter 3:7

May 8, 2025 : Congrats New Pope Robert Prevost 🙏✝️📜

https://youtube.com/shorts/0SYp9xGKuI0?si=NJr15SYZiV3E6DmI 

Congrats new pope 

🙏✝️📜

https://youtube.com/shorts/z7n4m9WofaU?si=rQwwolQh3hImvH4a

Fwd: a few images from the moment the pope announcement was made (white smoke !)

i took these screenshots from youtube

they blow black smoke until the decision is made, and then it turns to white.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wM8KJnPMY0

quick decision in Rome, wow! first-ever AMERICAN POPE ! They said it would never happen

some of you Protestants and CRCers are saying "Who cares, I'm not catholic" . Well, you should care. We're all part of the same Body of Christ ! Stay informed. PRay he's a good one. The Catholic church effects EVERYBODY ! #PrayTheNews 

https://www.the-sun.com/news/14194998/cardinal-new-pope/

"HISTORY has been made as the First American Pope will lead the Catholic church with outsider Robert Prevost taking up name of Leo XIV after less than 24 hours of secret voting in the Sistine Chapel.

The new Pope - known to many as "Father Bob" -  stepped out onto the balcony in the Vatican to cheering crowds as he greeted them by saying "peace be with you".

Wow "NASA Discovery Links Jesus' Crucifixion to Lunar Eclipse"

NASA Discovery Links Jesus' Crucifixion to Lunar Eclipse

re "An Act of Spiritual Communion -" Holy Spirit Parish

https://holyspiritchurch.us/an-act-of-spiritual-communion/ 

For Protestants, 

In plain English: we can talk directly to God with simple earnestness 

"When we cannot attend Mass [or church, for Protestants] we can still make an Act of Spiritual Communion. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, a spiritual communion is "an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him." One good time to make a spiritual communion is while we are adoring Our Lord ✝️ in the Most Blessed Sacrament, but we can make them at any time of the day or night, even multiple times a day..."

re "An Act of Spiritual Communion -" Holy Spirit Parish

https://holyspiritchurch.us/an-act-of-spiritual-communion/ 

For Protestants, 

In plain English: we can talk directly to God with simple earnestness 

"When we cannot attend Mass [or church, for Protestants] we can still make an Act of Spiritual Communion. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, a spiritual communion is "an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him." One good time to make a spiritual communion is while we are adoring Our Lord ✝️ in the Most Blessed Sacrament, but we can make them at any time of the day or night, even multiple times a day..."

Watch "#YAWYW ✝️☝️🙏" on YouTube

https://youtube.com/shorts/TJHioPJU7vc?si=A8C6cqq2hE-zIJdA 

You Are What You Worship #YAWYW ✝️☝️🙏

"Jesus Is Making a Comeback – Especially Among Young People -" Liberty Nation News

https://www.libertynation.com/jesus-is-making-a-comeback-especially-among-young-people/ 

Blaise Pascal: 

"There is a god-shaped 

vacuum in the heart ❤️ 

of every man which

 any created thing 

cannot fill, 

but ONLY God, 

The Creator, 

made known

 thru Jesus✝️."

https://www.libertynation.com/jesus-is-making-a-comeback-especially-among-young-people/

"This startling revelation also indicates that "some 67 per cent of churchgoing Christians read the Bible at least weekly outside church," according to the poll."

VOD 4.24.25

And whatever you do, 

whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the 

name of the 

Lord ✝️Jesus,

 giving thanks to 

God the Father

 thru Him.☝️

Colossians 3:17

Anonymous AGAPE LETTER

AGAPE LETTER

It's a shame to have to say this & take the Time to write this at such an age and stage in life. But apparently I do based upon little bits and pieces I continue to hear thru the grapevine etc. I'm also concerned about so-called self-glorifying "pillow talk" by some people with their spouses in which the person creates a super person mythology about themselves, building themselves up at the expense of others -maybe even fabricating negative things altogether about others; and without an opportunity to defend myself against such fabrications . 

So I will begin by saying, Since the age of accountability I have been living a very good positive moral life. And even after the age of accountability, any small things I have done wrong  in the eyes of the law have all been dismissed and expunged ie traffic & parking tickets etc. And I've never committed any felonies. I don't live a lavish lifestyle, and I  live this way intentionally in order so that I can serve the Lord most productively as possible without having to worry about mowing the lawn, painting the house, & all  the other things that come with being a homeowner, which almost becomes a full-time job in and of itself once you have a large household.  

And thanks be to God, I am always able to pay all my bills and taxes, and regularly do so. I even pay off my credit card bill at the end of the month so that I'm not charged a large interest fee (which is better than our own country is able to do even with all the billions even trillions of taxes they receive).  I have always paid for auto insurance, proper vehicle registration etc. It seems silly to have to say these things but there apparently are busy bodies who have questioned this, as if they are police officers themselves.

 Therefore if these others  will not willingly & humbly acquiesce to being in the state- of- grace in which we simply are aware of our own sinfulness and mind our own business in that regard,  rather than always being busy bodies and taking the specks out of other people's eyes, Then For the sake of survival I will  have to invoke  human laws that require us to not slander or libel others;  or be held accountable in the eyes of law ourselves.

  I should be able to simply invoke Christian accountability for all those who call themselves Christians or at least are "churched"  in order to be treated graciously, but if this doesn't work amongst some, once again,  I just repeat that I will have to hold such persons legally accountable. 

For years upon years I've been sending Christmas cards to so many people hoping that just sending the Christmas spirit once a year will remind us of who we are in Christ. And from so many great people including many of my beloved relatives,  I've been receiving gracious Christmas cards in return.

  Unfortunately, I don't receive any Christmas cards in return  from some of the people historically closest to me.  And the brief periodic interactions I do have with such persons raises questions in my mind about whether I'm speaking to Christians who are  genuinely in a state -of- grace. I'm not questioning whether such persons attend church or not. Some people can attend church perfectly all their lives but yet not necessarily enter into a true state -of grace.

 And when I speak of state- of -grace, I am speaking of the theological principle of self-awareness in Christ that we are all sinners !  but also, thank God, forgiven. And I'm not speaking of Cheap Grace either. If we keep committing such sins, and then say God forgives, it becomes cheap grace and meaningless.

 I'm speaking of repentance & Grace and also not repeatedly committing the same sins ex post facto.   And hopefully if we are continually examining ourselves and repenting and growing in Christ then we are not nitpicking others; nor conversely engaging in  excessive self -examination (ie scrupulosity) in which we self-examine ourselves too much.  

For most people excessive self-examination and excessive repentance is not the problem. For most people it's the opposite- it's a lack of self-examination and lack of repentance. In my regard, while I was going through seminary I went thru an intentional period  of self-examination and repentance and trying to make amends for any sins I committed against others,  Even going back into my childhood history, probably too far back, in terms of before the age of accountability

 And now I'm hearing again from little bits and pieces of the grapevine that some people are using such public confessions of so-called sins (or whatever you want to call them -maybe not even sins -but just natural parts of being a child before the age of accountability)  against me Still at the age of almost 60 years old.

 This is preventing me from moving on in my life in many regards. It makes it difficult for me professionally, spiritually, and relationally. For me to have meaningful relationships, while people are still taking specks out of my eye from childhood experiences, as if I  committed a childhood felony , is not only difficult to accept, but it's morally reprehensible on the part of those who raise up what are now  meaningless and trivial issues so many years later.

And perhaps they do so for self-serving reasons, rather than reasons of authentic concern about my soul, let alone about my adult relationships with others and public citizenship. 

I rebuke those who are trying to prevent good people from doing good things by negatively pigeon- holing them based on childhood "sins" or errors 50 years ago even before the age of accountability. It would be like a mother shaming her child 50 years later for pooping in his diaper when he/she was 2 years old. Stop this evil nonsense 🚫👎😡.

 You will be held accountable by God for preventing a good Christian person from doing the work of a Christian evangelist most effectively if you continue doing this. Imprecatory 

****