Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

Rom.11:13 For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry; 11:14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.

Jealousy of the flesh can be caused from many things, but usually it comes from a disrespect of a position a person has obtained to in life. When one steals the glory due that position, or acts presumptuously towards something sacred and holy and/or when one takes a position not earned can causes jealousy which is hate for the so called evildoer.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."{Proverbs 3:34}

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits.

What right did the Gentiles have in Israel, what inferior position were they not staying inline with? Paul understood that his teaching and preaching caused hatred in the hearts of the self-righteous, those that believe because they were Hebrew they were entitled to the keys of God's Kingdom, entitled to teach God's word, and had the right to approval life with God by their judgments upon earth. They had concluded they were a faithful nation to God. Their human judgments they thought incorrectly were God's judgments.

James 1:16 Don't be deceived, my beloved brothers.
1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 1:19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 1:20 for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God. 1:21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls{or, preserve your life.}. 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

Hence, when Paul wrote, using their holy writings to prove the truth of God in Christ he was hated because he was teaching that their system had ended being fulfilled by the perfect life of Christ Jesus the Son of God. That caused jealousy, and hate, because the Jews believed Paul and certain the Gentile were unclean, not worthy of the special position the Jews had held before God under the law.

Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Acts 11:9 But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, 'What God has cleansed, don't you call unclean.'

Luke 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

The presumptuousness was not in Paul or the Christian's because they understood undeserved kindness, not by their righteousness had they become righteous, but it was due to the precious and righteous life of Christ dying for them, not only for them, but also the Jews. How did they no that? By the Spirit of God in them they were not incited to jealousy and hate towards the Jews, and/or the Gentles, anyone wanting to know Christ they were happy to share the very kind gift given them by God's love.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. 3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
3:6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; 3:7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Inciting one to hate because of the spirit of jealousy is a fleshly act, but it gave some that still had a conscience to serve God to wake up to their unrighteous judgments of others, knowing they stood condemned by their own hearts. Although, the Jews sanction the killing of brother and sister by the law, any good person would be a appalled at the treatment of Christian's showing love towards all, having only blessings for their enemies wanting nothing evil to happen to them.

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a sharing of the body of Christ?

Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse.

Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,

Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

One would need to check their own hate, their own imputing of evil towards those doing us good, such was the power of God's kingdom unlike man's religion. The power to do good towards those hating us, the returning of good for evil. Many have since Christ destroyed friends, and family over religion; feeling authorized by sanction of their religion to kill a brother or sisters by cutting them off, and in past history destroying their lives by the sword.

James 3:8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.
3:10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
3:11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.

All this religious jealousy cuts some to the heart, bring them to true repentance when learning of God's undeserved kindness towards them. The killing of Christ our leader brought many to such repentance in realizing the love our Father had towards the Jews in wanting to save them.

Rom.2:3 Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

Ephesians 3:7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

Ephesians 3:16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

See also: www.nu-truth.com