So what's the message here, A-G? The one who didn't make a profit shall be damned? Is this the same Jesus who turned money-changers' tables? Is profit-making the way to come to God? Did not Jesus tell the rich man to sell everything? Did Paul not say he doesn't want to profit from preaching? And someone mentioned forgiveness?
For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified
This is one of those characteristic Pauline "say what?" Doers of the law shall be justified, yet Paul says no one can fulfill the law perfectly, so we are saved by God's mercy alone, fopr having faith in Him and not for anything we can do.
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. - Romans 2:12-16
His gospel?
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven -- Mat 7:21-23
Funny, and I read "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21, Rom 10:13) and "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered." (Joel 2:32)
[Hint: Paul was not around whe matthew was written...] but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. - Matt 5:21-22
Really? Various authors of the Bible call many a person 'fool.' Are they in danger of hell fire? To wit:
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." (Ps 14:1, 53:1); "Ye fools and blind" (Matthew 23:17, 19); "You fools" (Luk 11:40); "O fools, and slow of heart to believe" (Luk 24:25); "Their foolish heart was darkened" (Rom 1:21); Thou fool" (1 Cor 15:36); O foolish Galatians (Gal 3:1), and 47 more references of Paul calling others fools or foolish. Just for the record!
Just my "musings," A-G.
What is Spiritual profit?.. or what profits spiritually?..
The economy of God is an economy of service.. giving.. which is love..
Love IS giving/service.. Service is profit.. Giving is an investment..
The honor to be in the position to serve can be profit..
Giving what you have can be an investment.. as a wise steward..
What else does anybody have but themselves, their spirit..
This thread is a kind of giving.. and a profit..
The talents are Gods gifts to us all of them. If we do not use those gifts to His glory (His account in the parable) - then we are unprofitable servants. See also the parable of the sower.
The ears to hear are also gifts of God.
Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. John 8:43
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: - John 10:26-27
Other references to fool such as the fool has said in his heart there is no God are not directed to another person but rather to a type of person. It is a judgment of matter v. people which we are to effect (I Cor 6, etc.)