| 14th-century KEEP of Château de Vincennes -- Paris |
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| A "KEEP" was a great tower and usually the most strongly defended point of a castle! -- WIKIPEDIA |
"Keep" does NOT mean "Obey" although
there is a proper relationship between the two. But the two must NOT be
confused. Blue Letter Bible says the Greek word tēreō (Strong's
Concordence #5083) underlying the English word "keep" means: 1)
to attend to carefully, take care of a) to guard b)metaphorically to keep, one in the state in which he is c)
to observe d) to reserve: to undergo something For example -- in the New Testament gospel of John 8:51 Jesus says: Verily,
verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. And in verse 52 we have, Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying,
he shall never taste of death. And in verse 54-56, Jesus answered, If I
honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar
like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to
see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Note: A Christians physical death is spoken of as
"SLEEP." In the verses above Jesus is speaking of ultimate, perminent, death, not of a
believers "sleep." See John 11 for Jesus' use of this concept in the death of Lazarus, and in his subsequent raising of Lazarus from "death(sleep)"
after 4 days.
"Verily, verily -- Jesus means absolute certainty. (verse 51
above)
Everlasting life comes from "keeping" his words -- as in Strong's definition above. And in John 14:15 Jesus says, If ye love me, keep my commandments. And in John 14:23 Jesus says, Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me,
he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. There are numerous other examples -- just search for "keep" -- In the King James Bible.
"Keep," then, does NOT, mean OBEY, HOWEVER, Jesus does want us to
obey as much as possible. Some modern bibles, wrongly, confuse
this issue. In Luke 6:46 Jesus Christ says: And why call ye
me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Many New Testament
verses indicate we need to try to obey the Lord Jesus Christ as much as we can, and know to do. However, the major work of spiritual growth in our lives is due to God's "heavy lifting." Philippians 2:12-14 says: 12Wherefore, my beloved,
as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear
and trembling. 13For it is God which
worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14Do all things without murmurings and disputings: Wikipedia has an interesting article: "A "KEEP" was a great tower and usually the most
strongly defended point of a castle." |
| The Great Tower, formerly known as the KEEP, Dover |
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| Castle, UK http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2009/jul/31/english-heritage-dover-castle |
There is, then, to be a cooperative effort as we try to do what we can, but, at the same time,
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure
(verse 13 above). In the New Testament book of John, verses 8:51, 52, 55, 14:23, 15:20,
17:11 and 15, and in John's letter, 1 John 5:2, The New International Bible (NIV) uses the word/s "obey" or
"carry out," instead of "keep." This is wrong as matched against the meaning
of the underlying Greek word, as I cited above. I only consider John and 1 John. I'm sure
there are many other examples throughout the Bible. A Bible search will find many many other examples. Many people imagine they can, just, flat, "obey." But see my page Standard Heresies. I've found it essentially "standard
practice" for people to automatically "interpret around," passages that are difficult for them to accept
and apply. They ingeniously, usually with the instigation, and full help
of the clergy, introduce false criteria into the passage. Thus, they deceive
themselves into thinking they are obeying the passages, when they are just fooling themselves, just rationalizing. But, they are NOT fooling God. In my Standard Heresies article, I insist the right way is to take the passage straight, and to confess to God our unwillingness or inability to
obey the passage, and to ask for, and wait for, his help. Thus, the Bible correctly
tells us to "KEEP" Jesus' words. We are to DO what we can, but
wait on the Lord to apply what we cannot. Jesus Christ severely criticised the
religious leaders of his day for effectively replacing God's statements in Scripture, with their own humanly devised sayings,
or "traditions" (Jesus). For example in the New Testament book of Matthew
chapter 15: 1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they
eat bread. 3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye
also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4For
God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by
whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6And honour
not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But
in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. This is precisely
what many modern so-called "bible-believers" do -- voiding God's word's. And fooling themselves into thinking
they are "obeying," WHEN THEY ARE NOT! As required by the Matthew 15 passage, it would be terribly
grievous to cause your child to be executed. (This is Old Testament Law, NOT New Testament practice.) But, the
right way, would be to confess our extreme reluctance, even unwillingness, to God. Falsifying the passage only results
in further sin, perverting God's Word, and fooling ourselves. 2 Peter 3:16 says (referencing the Apostle Paul's inspired,
New Testament writings): As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things
hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (TWIST, TURN AWRY), as [they do] also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction. It seems like some folks AUTOMATICALLY, twist the Bible, perhaps without even realizing
they are doing it. Other folks will mis-apply Scripture, such as applying passages, generally, when God was directing
that passage at a certain, specific, person, or a specific case or occasion. This is another reason to "keep"
God's words, rather than wrongly apply them. Some say the Devil misquoted Scripture in his temptation of Jesus Christ
in Matthew 4. But, I think he wrongfully applied Scripture, rather than misquoted it. |
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| (Bible) -- some things hard to be understood, in |
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| which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (TWIST), as they do also the other scriptures 2Pe3 |
Regarding the NIV and other bibles, consider the New Testament Passage of Hebrews 4: (My point - the NIV, and ESV (English Standard Version), and probably others, replace the KJB "unbelief"
at the end of verses 6 and 11 with "disobedience." But notice
verse seven mentions "hardening of hearts." And very decisively,
verse 12 is dealing with "the thoughts and intents of the heart." And
verses 14 and 16 are plainly dealing with counting on salvation with God by faith. So the context makes clear that the King James Bible is correctly using "unbelief" in verses 6 and 11. Hebrews 4 (King James Bible (KJB): 1Let
us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did
not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3For
we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although
the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For
he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was
first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7Again,
he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts. 8For if Jesus had given
them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9There
remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For
he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example
of unbelief. 12For the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints
and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14Seeing
then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need. |
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The last verses of this great passage are tremendously encouraging! Scan the King James Bible for many wonderful verses containing "KEEP, or Kept." Like: Philippians 4:6,7: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. 7And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall KEEP your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 1Peter1:4-6:
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved
in heaven for you, 5Who are KEPT by the power of God through
faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein
ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
| The heavens declare the glory of God; and the |
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| firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, night unto night sheweth knowledge |
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