Pearls for Pigs

Dark subject matter ahead.

Is everyone redeemable? Or are there some who are doomed? I have a hard time with this because I'd like to think that everyone who hears the good news will accept it. Doesn't everyone want to go to heaven?

"Do not give what is Holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you into pieces." -Matthew7:6

That's a hard word. But there are many more.

"He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man and he will love you" -Proverbs 9:7-8

"Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words" Proverbs 23:9

"Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self condemned" Titus 3:10-11

And more.

Psalm 1:1

Revelation 22:11

2 Timothy 3:5

Don't waste what is Holy. Don't get entangled with those who refuse the truth.

The idea that there are people, plenty, who will not be receptive to God, people to whom we are told to not waste our time.

"And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them." Luke 9:5

Yikes.

How do we know when to walk away? I am aware that there are truly evil people out there,a very real spiritual darkness that's unmistakable. That's not what I'm talking about here. I'm wondering about the everyday people who just don't want to hear it. I thank God nobody gave up on me.

I guess it's like giving money to someone struggling with addiction. Your heart may be in the right place, but they won't use that money to help themselves. You mean well, but you are enabling them instead. Good intentions going to the wrong place.

This one just feels heavy. The thought that some day, people will be eternally separated from God because they lived a life, so hard hearted, so ignorant, so opposed to the idea that there's a God in the first place. Most of them "good people."

I know this is kind of choppy. It's me trying to work it out myself and hopefully my thoughts come through.

I struggle with the reality that some people are not just unwilling, but absolutely opposed. They mock. They scoff. And they are just living their earthly lives, going about the day normally, raising families and working, just like everyone else. But without a born again Spirit. They are dead.

I wish it wasn't that way but I believe with every cell in my body, that we are eternal beings. Made in the image of God, and we will live beyond this brief mortal life, this temporary earth. For all eternity. And we get to choose how that will go.

I hope we all make it.

That we won't be the swine or the dogs. That we come to the Truth and spend eternity with God.

I think what I am wrestling with is not that the Bible says these things, but more that IF it does, then it means it's so. It's true.

For instance, In Deuteronomy 18:20, we read "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord."

There are quite a few scriptures telling us to not inquire of the dead. Okayyyy, so what I'm hearing is, it can be done, but it shouldn't. We even have an example of this in 1 Samuel when King Saul consults the witch of Endor to bring up the spirit of Samuel. Tell me it's possible without telling me it's possible.

So by the Bible telling us to not mess with certain things or certain people,means those things exist and are very real. There ARE people who wont ever listen. They wont be saved. They are content (or think they are) to live in a way that pleases only themselves, never giving eternity a thought. Some leave a path of destruction and pain behind them. But what does it matter if we all die and that's that? No justice.

I know this is hard if you've only ever had the view of an all loving God. The God who loves us no matter what. Who is always on our side,will never leave nor forsake. Which is true BUT, how can He be all good, without being just?

"The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He." Deuteronomy 32:4

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." Psalm 89:14

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him." Isaiah 30:18

"He will render to each one according to his works." Romans 2:6

"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations." Revelation 15:3

"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." Romans 12:19

I pray for us, that those we love will make the choice to spend eternity with God.

Next up in Amy's scary Bible thoughts. How can we be sure we're not lukewarm??

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Scenes from the day

crinoid fossils from the driveway

The stem. This is the most common fossil I find

Watercolor progress