<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]<br>Again, A text out of context is nothing more than PRETEXT! The Lord Christ, when He referred to the "fields" wasn't speaking about believers and their sanctification. No, no... He was referring to the world of sinners who were yet lost and who among them were ready to hear the gospel of grace and come to Christ. He was speaking of the "fields" as the great mission field that His disciples were to enter and "reap". If you are determined to use the Bible as your source of your beliefs, at least have the respect for it that recognizes that it is inspired and it was written with a specific purpose. Wrenching it from its context is dishonoring to God and if nothing else, to do so is akin to linguistic genocide.<br></font><hr></blockquote><p><br>As believers in Jesus Christ, we are free to spiritualize what we read in the Bible --- as the Spirit leads. Our covenant is in the Spirit - not in a written code. (see 2 Cor 3:6)<br><br>Yes, each thing that was written in the Bible was written in a context. However, a thing that was written may also have a general application.<br><br>Take, for example, Paul's statement, "Each one must do as he had made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion ..." (2 Cor 9:7) Obviously, the context of this statement is giving of one's substance to help others. It also has an across-the-board application, however. It pertains to all forms of giving.<br><br>Blessings,<br><br>Alex
