JustClay

Thanks, @Daily verse and quote You brought back a precious memory of the words in a song my mom used to sing to me when I was very young—“Be careful little ears what you hear.” That song always came before a Bible story. Romans 10:17 is a very short verse, but oh so important. I love the New King James Version, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” because there is no mistaking that real, nourishing food for the mind should come from our Father. What beautiful thoughts He can plant in us each morning if we give Him a chance to direct our thoughts for the day!

Hi Daniel, I’m sure we all agree here that ALL sound theology is verified by scripture. Regarding the Apostles, the first 12 were chosen by our Father and given to His Son, as Jesus reveals in His prayer in the 17th chapter of John: 6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed thatYou sent Me. 9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. The details of Jesus’ prayer reveal their qualifications. Later Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. His qualifications are revealed in Acts 1, and they matched those of the original 12. Also in the book of Acts, the Lord Himself spoke to Ananias and told him that He had chosen Saul (Paul) as well, specifically as “a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Then when Ananias laid hands on Saul (Paul), he was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. These special men were specifically chosen to establish the church, and they accomplished what God gave them to do. That work is done and endures to this very day. Our work is to believe in the One who sent them out and to testify to His power to save. Praying your question is answered....

I believe there is only one formula for life: JESUS

Well, let me just add another thought or two. ? The first guests were unworthy. The guests who were gathered from the streets were both good and bad people, but a large enough crowd to celebrate a wedding feast. When the King entered, he saw only one who was not in proper attire, only one who did not respect the King enough to be properly clothed. Evil may be a strong word, but the parable of the wedding feast was spoken to reveal a spiritual truth to those who could hear among the people who were listening to Jesus teach. It is insolent to be disrespectful before someone in authority over us, but it evil to be so disrespectful to our Lord and Savior that we deny Him and refuse His gift of salvation. That’s why I used the word evil. In the end, evil will be bound and cast into the fire. Hope I’m being a little clearer this time. Deeper study is always good.

We can be merciful because He is. Yes, there are times when our human justice system must act, but every person deserves enough mercy to hear about Jesus. from Psalm 103: 6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Just a thought... when he is bound hand and foot, he is finally rendered ineffective and no longer able to move about freely, doing whatever evil he had been doing that made him an unworthy guest.