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Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 1:07:49 AM
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atruefaith
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Are the wicked truly blessed if they simply get more of what they want that causes them to drift farther from the truth of God's Word and salvation in Jesus Christ?
So, I just kind of laid all my cards on the table and couched them all in that question. But I wouldn't mind some reaction to my heavily loaded question. Thoughts?
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 2:04:54 AM
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SinnerSaved
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It depends on what you mean by 'blessed'. The strict interpretation of the word blessed in the New Testament (3421 'Makarioi') is 'happy'. So, are the wicked happy? In this case I don't think you can generalise - some are, and some are not.
If however, by 'blessed' you mean what we traditionally understand by the term - to be singled out by God for particular favour - then no, the wicked are not blessed.
Some may look upon their wealth in this life as being blessings, but if it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, then clearly they are not blessed.
Matthew 6:19-21
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
James 5:3
Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 7:35:44 AM
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SonInMe1
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Obama won didn't he?
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You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 8:58:45 AM
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d4nnyb0y02
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
Obama won didn't he?
Good point.
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OSAS is the Gospel.
(Gal 1:6;5:4) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 9:30:15 AM
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TorchHeart
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quote:
ORIGINAL: d4nnyb0y02
quote:
ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
Obama won didn't he?
Good point.
No, its not. He's a Christian, and he's not wicked. Why shouldn't he be blessed? Whether or not he turns out to be a good President is yet to be seen, but he's a bad example for this thread.
SonInMe1's comment, however, did bring a needed chuckle to me, today. (all political humor is good humor, in my book). 
EDIT: (And, now looking back, maybe I should've held off on this comment. If you were kidding, too, I apologize. All political humor is good humor, but if you were joking, too, then maybe some political humor is lost on me.)
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 10:21:44 AM
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siapa
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quote:
ORIGINAL: atruefaith
Are the wicked truly blessed if they simply get more of what they want...
Hmmm...I'm just wondering that myself! I mean the wicked and devil worshippers are more in control than us, Christians....and sometimes more powerful (material wise) and abusive! But I believe their time will end, as our Loving God WILL NEVER leave us, amen.
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 10:34:25 AM
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deermousie
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quote:
ORIGINAL: atruefaith
Are the wicked truly blessed if they simply get more of what they want that causes them to drift farther from the truth of God's Word and salvation in Jesus Christ?
What they get is their way (temporarily) and goodies (rain, food, stuff they might steal, etc.); what they lose is their lives and souls. Not much of a blessing.
James 1:15
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 10:49:40 AM
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Prairiehiker
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.....because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he lets rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous..
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 1:05:28 PM
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terryjohn
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Matthew 19:23-30
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 1:43:19 PM
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Prairiehiker
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...and let us not forget that the Lord has laws and principles that governs this world and they apply to everyone in it. For example, the ones who work hard will reap the benefits of their hard work. The ones who are intelligent will likely go far if they use their god given intelligence. Same for the ones that have been blessed by athletic abilities. These people are not necessarily doing evil works. They are succeeding because they are using the talents that are given to them by God. Perhaps, when they get turn their lives over to God, they'll use all of their talents to be a blessing to everyone. Until then, they'll use it for themselves and for their gain.
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Wishing for a Steelers/Eagles superbowl.
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 3:26:23 PM
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atruefaith
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quote:
It depends on what you mean by 'blessed'.
Bingo. The reason I left “blessed” open was to set a trap. I think how we go into answering these kinds of questions can reveal much about us…that is…do we look at being “blessed” from a temporal perspective or do we take the eternal view here? I think our initial reaction says a great deal about our faith because if we complain about the wicked being blessed in a world that will soon pass away, we are forgetting the terrors the wicked will face for an eternity, all the while envying those who God is just permitting over-indulge their sinful desires.
_____________________________
A series of short stories depicting the Christian faith....
www.atruefaith.com
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 8:44:14 PM
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SonInMe1
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I apologise for two consecutive posts but, I hafta say...
God blesses us and we ain't sinless...ya know? God blesses whom He chooses to bless and its not up to us to judge God.
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You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/14/2008 9:49:26 PM
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Zack_NorcalRiders
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TorchHeart
quote:
ORIGINAL: d4nnyb0y02
quote:
ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
Obama won didn't he?
Good point.
No, its not. He's a Christian, and he's not wicked. Why shouldn't he be blessed? Whether or not he turns out to be a good President is yet to be seen, but he's a bad example for this thread.
SonInMe1's comment, however, did bring a needed chuckle to me, today. (all political humor is good humor, in my book).
EDIT: (And, now looking back, maybe I should've held off on this comment. If you were kidding, too, I apologize. All political humor is good humor, but if you were joking, too, then maybe some political humor is lost on me.)
torchheart , you honestly think obama is a christian? have you not seen the video where he openly mocks the sermon on the mount? is he for abortion? i think he is , what kind of christian is that? HE MOCKED THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT , i know for 100% hes not christian.
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/16/2008 11:24:37 PM
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bravjim
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In the light of eternity, no. They may appear to be blessed, but if stuff makes you blessed or happy, then why are there so many miserable millionares and billionares? Why do folks like Britney Spears lives fall apart the way hers has? A poor christian has more joy and hope than they do.
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I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/17/2008 9:25:12 AM
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TorchHeart
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quote:
torchheart , you honestly think obama is a christian? have you not seen the video where he openly mocks the sermon on the mount? is he for abortion? i think he is , what kind of christian is that? HE MOCKED THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT , i know for 100% hes not christian.
I would hardly have called that "mocking." Maybe you should watch it, again, and understand the point he was trying to reach. As for being for abortion, he's not the only Christian who is. There are even good Christians on this board who are pro-abortion. Please see the link below for a thread on the subject:
http://www.ibelieve.com/m_3878923/mpage_1/tm.htm
And, yes, Obama is a Chrsitian. Just as much of one as George W. Bush, John McCain, The Pope, you, me, or anyone else. Unless you know his heart the way God does (and since he does claim to believe in and accept Christ), I don't believe its a good idea to be calling him a non-Christian.
Like I said, SonInMe1's posts gave me a good chuckle. Obama is a politician, and (like him or not) that makes him a perfect target for joke material.
But if you're being serious, I believe he's a bad example for this thread.
< Message edited by TorchHeart -- 11/17/2008 9:34:17 AM >
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/17/2008 11:50:20 AM
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DaveW
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I seriously question Obama's beliefs. He attended a radical islamic school as a young child. It was not until reaching adulthood that he chose christianity, and then one of the most "believe anything you want" denominations going. I suspect he is still islamic on some level.
As to the wicked being blessed, does not scripture say:
Mat 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Mat 5:45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
and
Rom 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/17/2008 12:13:44 PM
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TorchHeart
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quote:
I seriously question Obama's beliefs. He attended a radical islamic school as a young child. It was not until reaching adulthood that he chose christianity, and then one of the most "believe anything you want" denominations going. I suspect he is still islamic on some level.
He wasn't ever a Muslim to begin with, the school he attended in Indonesia was Muslim in the sense that the proponderance of its student body was Muslim. (He also attended a Catholic school in Indonesia. Both schools offered a few hours of religious instruction each week. In neither case was he attending the school because he was a member of that particular faith ), and many people don't become Christians until adulthood.
I'm not going to bother to debate this stuff in this forum, any further. Its best for the Current Events thread.
As for your Bible quotes, however, regarding the subject at hand, DaveW.... exactly what I was trying to get at in my earlier post.
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/18/2008 7:08:09 PM
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atruefaith
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quote:
God blesses us and we ain't sinless...ya know? God blesses whom He chooses to bless and its not up to us to judge God.
Wouldn't that include not judging the definitions he gave us in his Word in order to make right judgments that align with his?
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A series of short stories depicting the Christian faith....
www.atruefaith.com
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/18/2008 7:51:10 PM
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SonInMe1
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quote:
Like I said, SonInMe1's posts gave me a good chuckle.
Many times that is my objective. Once in a while serious debate needs a little levity.
God does seemingly bless the wicked. Its His choice and I am not sure it is up to us to judge that...however since this is forums, we might delve into why God possiboly could do such a thing.
I think even good christians can covet. We se all the nice things and abilities the rich unsaved have and do and get a little jealous. Lets be honest, if no rich people existed liberalism would die out. Its the hatred of the rich that keep such an ideology flourishing..and covetness.
We also need the example of fallen rich people to know that blessings of wealth do not neccesarily make a person holy or better. We, as christians, like the old isrealites are just as hard headed when it comes to sin, God shows us examples to stay away from.
We also need to know, in our materialistic society that the aquirement of wealth is not the end all be all existance. There is a higher standard than wealth aquirement....or worship.
So, our own weaknesses may be the cause for some to fall.
God wants our focus to be on Him. God even makes some pretty nice rich folk who are not saved who do wonderful things, people like Oprah, to show us even their good works mean nothing when their hearts are not in Him. With Oprah's charity also comes a false religion and an attempt to undermine christianity.
Obama may not be one of the super rich but now, he has the power some christians covet. We will see what he intends to do with it and in that, his salvation will be more apparent. If his promises are any indication, the christian who think he is saved should be...disappointed.
That...can be a good thing. Personally I do not believe Obama is a muslim. I don't think he is a christian either. I think he, so far, has proven to be an effective politician. I am not sure that enhances any religious belief esspecially christianity.
So, the wicked can be blessed by God and are, for His purposes and maybe I am way off in why God does that, its just a guess and who can truly know the mind of God? I do know he can make what satan wants to destroy us with, a good thing.
For all those people who are apprehensive about the upcoming administration I can understand that...but God does not give us a spirit of fear. It will work out. We have had simular presidents in the past and if we make our voices heard and stick to the principles of the bible, we can still make a difference.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/18/2008 11:51:09 PM
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atruefaith
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quote:
For all those people who are apprehensive about the upcoming administration I can understand that...but God does not give us a spirit of fear. It will work out. We have had simular presidents in the past and if we make our voices heard and stick to the principles of the bible, we can still make a difference.
Good stuff here Son....and many forget that Paul likely wrote Romans 13 when Nero (the guy who was lighting his streets with Christians) was emperor.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. -Romans 13:1-4
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A series of short stories depicting the Christian faith....
www.atruefaith.com
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/19/2008 8:52:57 AM
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growingseed
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Yes the God of this world will bless those that follow him. For all that is in the world, lust of flesh and eyes and the pride of life, is not of the father but of the world. Satan tempted Jesus with what he will give to those that worship and follow him. In this life it appears to be blessing, but wide is the gate which leads to hell.
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RE: Are the wicked truly blessed? - 11/19/2008 4:19:39 PM
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d4nnyb0y02
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DaveW
I seriously question Obama's beliefs.
Agreed, and we should question them. Words are cheap. Just because someone says, "I am a Christian," doesn't mean they are. In fact, saying so really means nothing. Christian means little Christ, so unless you are acting in a way that is Christ-like, you are not a Christian. The more Christlike you are, the more Christian you are... the less Christlike you are, the less Christian you are. I don't care whether he is saved or not--that is to say, that's not the issue. I'll let God judge that. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. If we are going to be ruled by someone, and if we have the choice, we should be picking someone based on their *works* and not on their *words*. Obama's works stink of anti-christ. I'm not going to get into it, but anyone that believes Abortion is something Christ would support needs an education in who our Lord is. As James said -- show me your faith without work and I will show you my faith by my works. Faith without works, is dead. If Obama has faith, it is seriously ill, fatiqued, dead or dying.
That being said, both the evil and the good are blessed. God sends his rain on the just and the unjust.
***Late Edit
For the record, it should be noted that I said Obama's *works* *stink* *of* anti-christ. I did not say *he* *was* *the* anti-christ.
1 John 4:1-5:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them
Our *spirit* confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not the same as our *mouth* confessing that we believe in Jesus Christ. Someone simply saying, "I believe in Jesus and that He died for me," is not enough. All of their words and actions should be weighed if we are to look at the *spirit*. If a person's other words deny it that He died for, and *had to* die for, the *whole world*... such as the belief that there are many ways to heaven other than Jesus or that "Jesus is right *for me* to get to heaven"... this is the same as denying Jesus as the Christ, that He has come in the flesh. He either is the Son of God, needed, and necessary, come to die for the sins of the whole world... and He either is the way the truth and the life, or He is not. Obama doesn't believe he is. I have watched videos and interviews of him where he outright deny's this, in a very politically correct fassion.
< Message edited by d4nnyb0y02 -- 11/20/2008 10:11:37 AM >
_____________________________
OSAS is the Gospel.
(Gal 1:6;5:4) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace
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Agreed. 
