“Only the good die young.” Jesus was about 33, Stephen who was full of the Holy Spirit, was the first martyr, and died young. And Saul stood by watching. It no doubt played a major effect in Paul's mind to witness Stephen's stoning.
After Paul's conversion experience, he, himself, when it was his turn, like Stephen, to experience stoning, shipwrecks, severe,beating, etc., stood firm and steadfast until the end, no matter what!
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Isaiah 55:9
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
This is an excerpt from the commentary of Matthew Fox regarding this section of Scripture
“55:6-13 Here is a gracious offer of pardon, and peace, and of all happiness. It shall not be in vain to seek God, now his word is calling to us, and his Spirit is striving with us. But there is a day coming when he will not be found. There may come such a time in this life; it is certain that at death and judgment the door will be shut.
There must be not only a change of the way, but a change of the mind. We must alter our judgments about persons and things. It is not enough to break off from evil practices, we must strive against evil thoughts. To repent is to return to our Lord, against whom we have rebelled. If we do so, God will multiply to pardon, as we have multiplied to offend. But let none trifle with this plenteous mercy, or use it as an occasion to sin.
Men's thoughts concerning sin, Christ, and holiness, concerning this world and the other, vastly differ from God's; but in nothing more than in the matter of pardon. We forgive, and cannot forget; but when God forgives sin, he remembers it no more.
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Instead of being profane, contentious, selfish, or sensual, behold him patient, humble, kind, and peaceable. The hope of helping in such a work should urge us to spread the gospel of salvation. And do thou help us, O Spirit of all truth, to have such views of the fulness, freeness, and greatness of the rich mercy in Christ, as may remove from us all narrow views of sovereign grace.
Psalm 103:11"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him."
Happy Friday, Geologist.
Have a Blessed Weekend.