Exegesis of Hebrews

[Your closest friendnt]

2 hours ago, Marathoner said:

I see much conjecture and assumption regarding scripture, with judgment being rendered that's identical to how I was judged a long time ago. There were some men supremely confident in their grasp of scripture to the degree that they declared I was "never one of them." They also had declared that they knew the will and purpose of the Lord, so their judgment was beyond reproach. 

They were correct in that I was never one of them; I never was and never would be. They were also correct in that they understood the will and purpose of the Lord, for He delivered me from their domination and control. The day before those men cast me out, the Lord told me what they would do --- and what I should do --- the morning of the next day.

What they intended for evil, the Lord purposed for good. That never fails to render me speechless when I watch it unfold. 

I also never cease to be amazed by the conviction of some who believe that they have the Lord all figured out. God does whatever He pleases, showing mercy to whomever He will. 

The critical words are that someone who was an active part of their ministry and he is not anymore. We do not know anything else about that person. And there is a question that resurface about the writer but actually there is more than one. We do not know what he had consider that he had to make this statement about that person and if he had consider WHICH I DOUBT AND A LOT just his own observations and the step to attempt of having first hand knowledge about all relevant facts and statements from the person at hand and how much he knew him on the day to day events, if they would have cross paths and he got some concrete evidence that can support his claim about someone else. And if he relied on something which he never said it, how did he knew besides that the person at hand who had draw his fellowship from them why he had done so. Why should we accept his statement as a correct avaluation that this brother had fallen away...what evidence do we have, did he tells us what in his understanding he meant by saying that (he had fallen away) so we can establish that his credibility and how definitely establish reliability in this matter and not just that (he had fallen away) that this brother had lived the rest of his life and he had confess things that establish what the writer had said that he had fallen away. I cannot say anything about the other statement because no one can speak in the name of Jesus in this way and definitely not of the disciples of Jesus would ever make these kinds of statements on behalf of Jesus and the writer cannot say that the brother he had Judge and he had Judge him why? Is it because he had left his meetings and did he say those things about him and how long after he stopped associating with him. 

[D. Adrien]

1 hour ago, Marathoner said:

I experienced something similar, but it happened during a longer period of time (20 years for me). Something like this can be difficult to share, but I'll do my best to put it out there using plain language so nothing is left in the dark:

Who knows the hidden things of God if He doesn't see fit to reveal His counsel to man? What the Lord doesn't reveal remains hidden, and what He did with regard to me was overwhelming once He revealed it not just to myself, but to others as well. 

I suffered greatly on account of those men who judged me for many years. I believed what they had told me, and it's worth pointing out that the Lord did not correct their error right away because it suited His will and purpose. After the Spirit revealed what those men were doing and what I should do in response to that, I did not hear the voice of the Lord for years at a stretch. I didn't know what was hidden from me. It was hidden for good reason. 

It was the mercy of the Lord that I was so forgetful and didn't pay enough attention back then. I'm so thankful that I was ignorant of what I had to endure during those 20 years. All of it was necessary.

Another issue I had to deal with was trying to barter with God about turning from particular sins I enjoyed. I moved away from God and became disillusioned inside my favorite sins.

Perhaps I was delivered to Satan for a period of time until I had my fill of debauchery. Jesus did come seeking me and as you said extended a vast amount of mercy and love. I also needed to understand that stubbornness is a sin that needs to be repented from.

1Sam. 15:22-23 (NKJV), spoken to Saul:

So Samuel said:

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king.”