Bible Questions and Answers

Jeremiah 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

A parent soon recognises that a child cannot be successfully brought up doing only the things that a child wants to do. In real life we all have to do things that we don’t want to do. This is the only way that human society can function. We do what we don’t want to do for the good of others.

We are all subject to death because Adam chose to do what he wanted to do instead of what God wanted him to do.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

God’s purpose is to fill the earth with his glory in the form of men and women raised to the divine nature.

Numbers 14:21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

To have part in God’s purpose we are called upon to do what God wants us to do instead of what we want to do.

Ezekiel 18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...

God fathered a son to give his life in order to save those that will believe and obey the gospel. Do we think that God wanted to give his son over to a cruel death?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus didn’t want to die; he did what he didn’t want to do for the sake of others.

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

In like manner we are called upon to do what we don’t want to do for the sake of others.

1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Jeremiah, in doing what he didn’t want to do, became instrumental in the saving of those who listened to him and did what God instructed.

Jeremiah 18:8 And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. 9 He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

Jeremiah was another in a long line of prophets, culminating in God’s son. All did what they didn’t want to do and suffered for the benefit of others.

Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

All set an example for us to follow, that we might live and not die.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

NKJV Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh (That is – do what we want to do).13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body (That is – do what God wants us to do), you will live.

Those who believe the gospel and are baptised into Jesus, have like him, to learn obedience through suffering.

Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I hope you have found this helpful.

May God bless you,
Glenn