Pleasing God or Humans?

[Sue J Love]

Sunday, January 15, 2017, 8:30 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “My Sheep.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Galatians 1 (Select vv. NASB).

From this Present Evil Age (vv. 1-5)

Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.​

Paul did not go into the ministry because he had a Bible college or seminary degree from a particular church denomination’s institution of higher learning. He also did not become a preacher of the Word of Christ because he went through the process of ordination, and was, thus, ordained by a particular church denomination, after having been examined thoroughly by a group of people assigned to the task of examining him. In fact, he most likely would not have been approved because he had been a persecutor and a murderer of the saints of God and a strong opponent of the gospel of our salvation. The only reason he became an apostle and a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ was because God called him, by his grace, setting him apart even from his mother’s womb (v. 15). Thus, he who once persecuted the church was now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy (v. 23). Amen.

So, what was the gospel that Paul then taught if he was not trained by humans in how to preach and in what to preach? He taught Jesus Christ - God incarnate - crucified, buried, risen from the dead, ascended to heaven and coming again. He taught what was in total agreement with the prophets of old when they prophesied concerning the coming of the Messiah. And, he taught the gospel message in the power of the Holy Spirit, who was the one who then taught him what to say. Thus, what he taught were the words of God. So, they are truth. And, the truth is that Jesus didn’t die just so we could escape hell, be forgiven of our sins, and have the hope of heaven when we die. Jesus gave himself up for us to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father in heaven.

So, what does it mean to be rescued from this present evil age? Let’s look at some parallel scriptures. We read in scripture that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, and that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave himself up for us (1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Co. 5:15). He died that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Ro. 8:1-14). He died that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Co. 5:21). Jesus also died that we might die with him to sin and be resurrected with him to newness of life (be born again), “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:17-24; Ro. 6:1-23; Gal. 2:20). And, He “gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Tit. 2:14).

A Different Gospel (vv. 6-9)

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!​

So, what is this “different gospel” of which Paul spoke? It was a man-made gospel, i.e. created in the minds and hearts of humans, not in the mind of God. So, it can apply to any human-created gospel teaching. Yet, he was specifically referring to a teaching that taught that we could gain merit with God via human effort. More specifically he was referring to a false teaching which was convincing many believers in Jesus that they had to still follow Jewish ceremonies, traditions, celebrations, and/or laws in order to be saved. Today we call this legalism, i.e. when rules of men are added on to the grace of God as requirements for being in right standing with God. Yet, if it is not taught in the Word of God, we don’t have to obey it.

Nonetheless, the Spirit of God will call us to specific areas of ministry or will lead us to go places, or to speak to certain people, and we must obey, but we must make certain the voice we are hearing is God’s voice, and that what we believe we are being called to do is in line with the teachings of scripture.

Ok, so on the flip side of legalism is libertinism. Both of them are human-created, and both of them are opposed to the true gospel of our salvation. One adds human rules to God’s grace, and another subtracts Christ’s commands from the gospel and distorts the truth of God’s grace. God’s grace is not given to us just so our sins are forgiven, but so they are eradicated (cleansed, purified) from our daily lives. Jesus didn’t die just to forgive us our sins, but he died to deliver us out of slavery to sin so that we would now become servants of his righteousness (Ro. 6:1-23). God’s grace, which brings salvation, is not a free license to continue in sin without guilt or remorse. No, his grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for his return (Tit. 2:11-14).

If we hold on to our old lives of living for sin and self, we will lose them for eternity. But, if we lose our lives (die with Christ to sin and self), we will gain eternal life (See: Lu. 9:23-25). Paul put it this way: If we walk according to our sinful flesh, to fulfill its lustful desires, we will die still in our sin, without Christ, and without hope. But, if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live with Christ for eternity (Ro. 6:1-23; 8:1-14). John said that if we walk in darkness (in sin), and yet we claim to have fellowship with God, that we are liars (1 Jn. 1:6). He also said:

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 Jn. 2:3-6).​

In other words, we are not saved by our own human effort, or by doing good deeds, or by following a set of man-made rules. We can do nothing to earn or to deserve our own salvation. We can’t even come to Christ unless the Father first draws us to him, and even the faith to believe in Jesus Christ is a gift from God, as is the ability to repent of our sins and to obey Christ and his commandments. Yet, we must act on that gift from God and apply it to our daily lives in the power of the Spirit within us. In other words, faith is not a mere confession of Christ as Savior, but it is the reality of his Lordship in our lives. True salvation results in transformed lives of the Spirit of God, being turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that we can receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified (made holy) by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 26:16-18).

Again, if we walk (in lifestyle) in darkness (sin, wickedness), but we claim to be in fellowship with God, we are liars. If we walk (conduct our lives) according to the flesh, we will die in our sin, but if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live with Christ for eternity.

A Bond-servant of Christ (v. 10)

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.​

So, it all comes down to this: Who am I living to please? - The flesh of humans, including my own, or the Spirit of God? Am I more concerned with what humans will think of me, or is my concern with pleasing God? Do I conform my life to the ways of this sinful world in order to be accepted and included by humans? Or, do I conform my life to God’s ways, to follow in his truth, even if I am hated, rejected, persecuted and ill-treated by humans, in return? If I live my life to please my own flesh or the flesh of others, I am not a bond-servant of Jesus Christ. But, if I live my life to please God, though not perfectly, but I daily walk in his steps, putting to death the deeds of the flesh, by the Spirit, then I am a vessel useful to his service. I am in Christ, and he is in me. I listen to his voice, and I follow (obey) him.

My Sheep / An Original Work / June 24, 2012
Based off John 10:1-18 NIV

My sheep hear me. They know me.
They listen to my voice and obey.
I call them and lead them.
They know my voice, so they follow me.
They will never follow strangers.
They will run away from them.
The voice of a stranger they know not;
They do not follow him.

So, I tell you the truth that
I am the gate, so you enter in.
Whoever does enter
Will find forgiveness and will be saved.
Nonetheless whoever enters
Not by the gate; other way,
He is the thief and a robber.
Listen not, the sheep to him.

Oh, I am the Good Shepherd,
Who laid his own life down for the sheep.
I know them. They know me.
They will live with me eternally.
The thief only comes to steal and
Kill and to destroy the church.
I have come to give you life that
You may have it to the full…

They know my voice, so they follow me.

 

[Br. Bear]

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Greetings,

Is it 'greetings woman' or 'greetings Sister'?
Why do I ask?

May I add to your post the following Scripture?

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 19:1-6

Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

So, the reason for my question?
One may follow your advice as best they can and yet be legalistic in doing so if they do so in their own strength...

Jesus referred to His mother as "woman" rather than sister. Why? ( please note that I am NOT implying that you @Sue J Love are either woman or sister but simply attempting to bring some light into the subject - I am not seeking an answer from you - but as you may well know, a person can try to follow the Spirit and even sound teaching and yet find that they are unable to, despite sincere zeal and desire to do so. So the question arises "Why?" and they look for teaching to follow in an attempt to achieve a walk with Christ)

Who do we follow? How can we cease from following the world? Try as we might, we struggle to with following teachings rather than the Teacher.
If you, the reader, find yourself in this situation yet truly want to walk in fullness of light and be ABLE to follow the Spirit rather than the world, it is the Spirit of Truth you need.

Matthew 15: 8-9 This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.
But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me:

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Bless you ....><>

 

[Sue J Love]

One may follow your advice as best they can and yet be legalistic in doing so if they do so in their own strength...

If a person was to follow what was taught here from Galatians 1, he or she could not do so in his or her own strength, and it could not be legalism, for it is clear that this is all dependent on the working and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, and not from their own flesh.

There were 8 references to the working of the Spirit in our lives in this writing:

Taught by the Spirit

Teaching in the power of the Holy Spirit

Walk according to the Spirit

Called to ministry by the Spirit

By the Spirit putting to death deeds of flesh

Live by faith in the power of the Spirit within us

Lives transformed of the Spirit of God

Living to please God, by the Spirit

None of these could be done in our own flesh, i.e. in our own strength, so they can't be done legalistically, if followed according to what was taught here. Everything is dependent on the Spirit living within us, filling, empowering, equipping, teaching, transforming, calling, strengthening, etc.

 

[Sue J Love]

Greetings,

Is it 'greetings woman' or 'greetings Sister'?
Why do I ask?

So, the reason for my question?
One may follow your advice as best they can and yet be legalistic in doing so if they do so in their own strength...

Jesus referred to His mother as "woman" rather than sister. Why? ( please note that I am NOT implying that you @Sue J Love are either woman or sister but simply attempting to bring some light into the subject - I am not seeking an answer from you - but as you may well know, a person can try to follow the Spirit and even sound teaching and yet find that they are unable to, despite sincere zeal and desire to do so. So the question arises "Why?" and they look for teaching to follow in an attempt to achieve a walk with Christ)

Brother Bear, I am sorry, but I am not following your line of thinking or reasoning here. What is your objective in the discussion of "woman" or "sister"? Why do you think Jesus referred to his mother as "woman"? What do you believe he was implying? And, how are you applying that to this OP?

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings,

Brother Bear, I am sorry, but I am not following your line of thinking or reasoning here. What is your objective in the discussion of "woman" or "sister"? Why do you think Jesus referred to his mother as "woman"? What do you believe he was implying? And, how are you applying that to this OP?

It seems that my attempts to compliment what you write miss somehow? I don't always write as you might prefer me to? (Both/all posts) Please forgive my intrusions.

I can not recall any mention that Mary had been baptised/received the Holy Ghost at the time that Jesus addressed her, "woman". I say this in the light of the fact that she knew Jesus but that doesn't automatically qualify a person, as your post point out.

Again, please forgive my intrusions.

Bless you ....><>

 

[Sue J Love]

Greetings,



It seems that my attempts to compliment what you write miss somehow? I don't always write as you might prefer me to? (Both/all posts) Please forgive my intrusions.

I can not recall any mention that Mary had been baptised/received the Holy Ghost at the time that Jesus addressed her, "woman". I say this in the light of the fact that she knew Jesus but that doesn't automatically qualify a person, as your post point out.

Again, please forgive my intrusions.

Bless you ....><>

Brother Bear,

You are not intruding. I am happy to have you respond. I just didn't understand what you were saying, so I was asking for clarification. You write in a different style from me, and that is neither good nor bad. It is just that I am not good at interpreting your meaning, and so I ask for clarification. If someone responds to me, I want to understand what he or she is saying. And, I think that is a good thing. Good communication asks questions so that it is clear what the speaker is attempting to say is understood by the listener. Otherwise, communication hasn't really taken place.

So, you are saying, and correct me if I am wrong, that you believe Jesus called his mother "woman" because she had not yet been baptized in the Holy Spirit? If this is the case, on what do you base this belief?

Most commentators I read said that "woman" was a term of great respect and honor, which he was showing his mother at the cross in making sure that she was taken care of by the disciple John. His treatment of her at the cross showed how much he honored and valued and loved her. One commentator suggested that he may have called her "woman" instead of "mother" because he was protecting her from the crowds. I don't think any of us can really know why he used that term with her, but it would be fitting his character to treat his mother with great honor and respect, so I believe that was his purpose, the same as when he addressed her when she asked for his help when the wine ran out at the wedding dinner.

 

[i777]

Sunday, January 15, 2017, 8:30 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “My Sheep.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Galatians 1 (Select vv. NASB).

From this Present Evil Age (vv. 1-5)

Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.​

Paul did not go into the ministry because he had a Bible college or seminary degree from a particular church denomination’s institution of higher learning. He also did not become a preacher of the Word of Christ because he went through the process of ordination, and was, thus, ordained by a particular church denomination, after having been examined thoroughly by a group of people assigned to the task of examining him. In fact, he most likely would not have been approved because he had been a persecutor and a murderer of the saints of God and a strong opponent of the gospel of our salvation. The only reason he became an apostle and a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ was because God called him, by his grace, setting him apart even from his mother’s womb (v. 15). Thus, he who once persecuted the church was now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy (v. 23). Amen.

So, what was the gospel that Paul then taught if he was not trained by humans in how to preach and in what to preach? He taught Jesus Christ - God incarnate - crucified, buried, risen from the dead, ascended to heaven and coming again. He taught what was in total agreement with the prophets of old when they prophesied concerning the coming of the Messiah. And, he taught the gospel message in the power of the Holy Spirit, who was the one who then taught him what to say. Thus, what he taught were the words of God. So, they are truth. And, the truth is that Jesus didn’t die just so we could escape hell, be forgiven of our sins, and have the hope of heaven when we die. Jesus gave himself up for us to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father in heaven.

So, what does it mean to be rescued from this present evil age? Let’s look at some parallel scriptures. We read in scripture that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, and that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave himself up for us (1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Co. 5:15). He died that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Ro. 8:1-14). He died that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Co. 5:21). Jesus also died that we might die with him to sin and be resurrected with him to newness of life (be born again), “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:17-24; Ro. 6:1-23; Gal. 2:20). And, He “gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Tit. 2:14).

A Different Gospel (vv. 6-9)

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!​

So, what is this “different gospel” of which Paul spoke? It was a man-made gospel, i.e. created in the minds and hearts of humans, not in the mind of God. So, it can apply to any human-created gospel teaching. Yet, he was specifically referring to a teaching that taught that we could gain merit with God via human effort. More specifically he was referring to a false teaching which was convincing many believers in Jesus that they had to still follow Jewish ceremonies, traditions, celebrations, and/or laws in order to be saved. Today we call this legalism, i.e. when rules of men are added on to the grace of God as requirements for being in right standing with God. Yet, if it is not taught in the Word of God, we don’t have to obey it.

Nonetheless, the Spirit of God will call us to specific areas of ministry or will lead us to go places, or to speak to certain people, and we must obey, but we must make certain the voice we are hearing is God’s voice, and that what we believe we are being called to do is in line with the teachings of scripture.

Ok, so on the flip side of legalism is libertinism. Both of them are human-created, and both of them are opposed to the true gospel of our salvation. One adds human rules to God’s grace, and another subtracts Christ’s commands from the gospel and distorts the truth of God’s grace. God’s grace is not given to us just so our sins are forgiven, but so they are eradicated (cleansed, purified) from our daily lives. Jesus didn’t die just to forgive us our sins, but he died to deliver us out of slavery to sin so that we would now become servants of his righteousness (Ro. 6:1-23). God’s grace, which brings salvation, is not a free license to continue in sin without guilt or remorse. No, his grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for his return (Tit. 2:11-14).

If we hold on to our old lives of living for sin and self, we will lose them for eternity. But, if we lose our lives (die with Christ to sin and self), we will gain eternal life (See: Lu. 9:23-25). Paul put it this way: If we walk according to our sinful flesh, to fulfill its lustful desires, we will die still in our sin, without Christ, and without hope. But, if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live with Christ for eternity (Ro. 6:1-23; 8:1-14). John said that if we walk in darkness (in sin), and yet we claim to have fellowship with God, that we are liars (1 Jn. 1:6). He also said:

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 Jn. 2:3-6).​

In other words, we are not saved by our own human effort, or by doing good deeds, or by following a set of man-made rules. We can do nothing to earn or to deserve our own salvation. We can’t even come to Christ unless the Father first draws us to him, and even the faith to believe in Jesus Christ is a gift from God, as is the ability to repent of our sins and to obey Christ and his commandments. Yet, we must act on that gift from God and apply it to our daily lives in the power of the Spirit within us. In other words, faith is not a mere confession of Christ as Savior, but it is the reality of his Lordship in our lives. True salvation results in transformed lives of the Spirit of God, being turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that we can receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified (made holy) by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 26:16-18).

Again, if we walk (in lifestyle) in darkness (sin, wickedness), but we claim to be in fellowship with God, we are liars. If we walk (conduct our lives) according to the flesh, we will die in our sin, but if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live with Christ for eternity.

A Bond-servant of Christ (v. 10)

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.​

So, it all comes down to this: Who am I living to please? - The flesh of humans, including my own, or the Spirit of God? Am I more concerned with what humans will think of me, or is my concern with pleasing God? Do I conform my life to the ways of this sinful world in order to be accepted and included by humans? Or, do I conform my life to God’s ways, to follow in his truth, even if I am hated, rejected, persecuted and ill-treated by humans, in return? If I live my life to please my own flesh or the flesh of others, I am not a bond-servant of Jesus Christ. But, if I live my life to please God, though not perfectly, but I daily walk in his steps, putting to death the deeds of the flesh, by the Spirit, then I am a vessel useful to his service. I am in Christ, and he is in me. I listen to his voice, and I follow (obey) him.

My Sheep / An Original Work / June 24, 2012
Based off John 10:1-18 NIV

My sheep hear me. They know me.
They listen to my voice and obey.
I call them and lead them.
They know my voice, so they follow me.
They will never follow strangers.
They will run away from them.
The voice of a stranger they know not;
They do not follow him.

So, I tell you the truth that
I am the gate, so you enter in.
Whoever does enter
Will find forgiveness and will be saved.
Nonetheless whoever enters
Not by the gate; other way,
He is the thief and a robber.
Listen not, the sheep to him.

Oh, I am the Good Shepherd,
Who laid his own life down for the sheep.
I know them. They know me.
They will live with me eternally.
The thief only comes to steal and
Kill and to destroy the church.
I have come to give you life that
You may have it to the full…

They know my voice, so they follow me.

The "different gospel" that St. Paul was warning God's disciples about are the gospels that include man's traditions and pagan doctrines mixed with words from the true gospel of God. Those false gospels can sound "Christ-like" because they do contain some words that Jesus, Peter, Paul, Timothy, etc. would have used from the Holy Spirit of God but they don't contain any knowledge about the deep mysteries that are revealed through the true gospel. Those deep mysteries are kept from most men.

Romans 11:
3: "Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have demolished thy altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life."
4: But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Ba'al."
5: So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
6: But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
7: What then? Israel failed to obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,
8: as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear, down to this very day."

1 Corinthians 2
10: God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
11: For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12: Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.
13: And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.
14: The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
15: The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
16: "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.