If salvation is free what is the point of giving tithes and offering?
THE BATTLE AXE: Stronger Tests for the Strong? (10/22/2013)—Born again, the believer must “grow up” again by meeting challenges that often seem like tests or GOD “picking on” you, however are only normal aspects of ones new life. Included are becoming free of false assumptions, fantasies, and vain hopes generated by the flesh and the world; disappointment when prayer seems to go unanswered; jumping to the conclusion that family, Satan, and various unbelievers are attacking, opposing and persecuting when they are not; and failing to realize ones own accountability for painful circumstances and problems (see Proverbs 24: 16 and Psalms 34: 18-19, KJV). Even as Christians, many of us do not take constructive action, change and grow until challenged and pressured by crisis, imbalance, and severe need. The principles for everyday Christian growth and witness insist that all will be held accountable for their own peculiar actions and responses to the various situations that will arise; there is to be shared responsibility for spiritual duties; those having are to share with those who need; and the strong are to serve the weak (see Romans 14: 10, 2nd Corinthians 5: 10, Acts 20: 35 and Romans 15: 1, KJV). Many receive these and similar truths as tests, trials or even suffering imposed upon themselves, rather than necessary labor that supplies opportunities to give in service that will please and glorify GOD. It is the human predicament that many unpleasant and unwanted events are shared conditions and life experiences that touch us all, however, not in the same way, or with the same power. In addition to bereavement, disease, gay and lesbian sexuality, natural disasters, problems with money, and violence, the many elements of sin and spiritual confusion overtake most of us at some time during the course of our growth. It remains that a single standard for salvation exists for all; yet, those who are strongest in love, are usually those strongest in faith, industry, longsuffering, patience, unselfishness, and zeal. (See Luke 7: 36-50, 1st Corinthians 10: 13 and Luke 12: 43-48, KJV.)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: (1st Chronicles 29: 10-18, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Lid on Love? (09/27/2013); Dying in Terror and Joy (09/28/2013); Salted With Fire? (09/24/2013); A Halo Upon Jesus? (09/25/2013); A Relationship not Just Knowledge? (06/25/2013); Lost Without GOD? (06/26/2013); Quoting Scripture to GOD? (04/24/2013); Illusion? (04/25/2013); The Love of GOD (03/03/2013); Our Need for a Son (03/04/2013); Unless You Repent (03/05/2013)
“IFollowEvidence&Facts”, here are a few more points to consider that are important for full understanding among many who hold with GOD through Jesus Christ:
(1.) Sacrificial blood (we may say, life essence, or spirit) is necessary for atonement and sanctification that fit one for intimate relationship as the children of GOD. Blood is not life, however, blood conveys what we call “the breath of life” containing the very substance of GOD that supplies awareness, existence, person, and self-will to created beings and living creatures. At Creation, inseparable aspects of divine make-up were imparted that include faith, forgiveness, gratitude, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, truthfulness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Through the operations of sin, the original endowment has been altered and diminished. Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, believers are “born again” as though having divine DNA: They all receive a fresh deposit of divine content.
(2.) Sin opposes the continued existence of divinity, of divine law, and of hallowed person. Sin is not a spirit, is not created by GOD, and is no material or physical thing having dimension. Sin cannot influence the will of GOD; yet, sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures. Holy convocation for acknowledgment (we may say, worship) of GOD is broken off, defiled, profaned, and made unclean through sin.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice (Psalms 50: 5, KJV). Offerings and sacrifices to GOD laid upon a holy table (we say, altar, cross) replicate aspects of the creation of Adam, and bring together flesh and spirit allowing the removal of all imperfection by the application of holy fire. Atonement is thus the furtherance of Creation as well as the continuation of ongoing judgment. The fulfillment of “formative judgment” (we say, reviewing your work as you go along) must go before “harvesting the earth” and final judgment.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Grow in grace
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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