Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Day 7- Matthew 3:9 The children of Abraham

King James Version Matthew 3:9

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up seed unto Abraham.

Joseph Smith Translation


And think not to say within yourselves, We are the children of Abraham, and we only have power to bring seed unto our father Abraham; for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up seed unto Abraham.

First, Joseph clarifies the verse changing "we have Abraham to our Father" to the more easily understood "We are the children of Abraham." This makes the message clear. The hard-hearted Jews were rationalizing their refusal to be baptized by John (or better yet re-baptized), because they believed themselves special. They were the chosen children of Abraham, and yet Abraham would have disowned them for their hypocritical behavior. They were religious but not spiritual. A spiritual person does what the spirit tells them, a religious person does what their leaders tell them.


Second, Joseph adds the words "and we only have power to bring seed unto our father Abraham."
Whether you are Jewish, Christian, Mormon or Muslim, GOD does not care. He is no respecter of persons and he is definitely no respecter of religions. HE saves people individually based on their faith in CHRIST, their obedience to the gospel of JESUS CHRIST, and their CHRIST-like behavior.