Today, I share some points on mortality and divine intent; and there is more on the life lessons from becoming a driving instructor. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Stewie” (Level 1 with 135 points, a member since September 02, 2012) posted the following:
Aren't we supposed to be immortal?
Don't get me wrong! I'm not against any religion or anything like that, simply I'm just curious, since I haven't read the Bible itself.
So... According to the things I've read and heard: Our first sin was to eat the apple of eden. Before the first sin we (humans) were immortal, right? And since Jesus has died for our sins, shouldn't we be immortal?
Maybe I'm wrong or there are some explanations, or I just misheard/read something, but this is nebulous for me...
Thanks for the answers!
THE BATTLE AXE: Driving Under the Influence (02/07/2014)—There are many “nuggets” I could have shared from my days with the driving school. (For example, there was a lesson that every skill used in driving from here to California is used when parking a car. Also, there was a nun living in the neighborhood of the Catholic University, who was dressed in full habit when I met for her very first lesson. The sister sweated terribly, and appeared to have a panic attack. I think she was offended that I spoke so much explaining different details, and would not allow her to just “feel her way” out on the road. Adding insult to injury, I dared to encourage her with a chiding word (perfect love casts out fear). The next time I saw her, she was behind the wheel with a rival driving school.) The “mother load” appears to be in the anecdote regarding my certification to teach. Often believers are reluctant to insist upon righteousness and truth because we do not want to appear to be arrogant, overbearing, and pushy. However, false notions of anarchy, freedom, the greater good, and mercy in judgment are at work. Such feelings and thoughts arise from conceit, self-centeredness, and self-promotion. We account ourselves righteous as we try to silently endure the errors of others generously admitting to ourselves that we also are still imperfect, and prone to making mistakes. Thus, on surface, the trial I endured in the transformation from classroom and college level teaching to serving as a professional driving instructor behind two steering wheels was merely one of removing deeply ingrained and hidden pride. However, the entire process was geared to (1) an instructor developing sensitivity; (2) a teacher establishing safety through removal of negative habits, operating by instinct, and relying upon emotion and muscular reflexes instead of knowledge and reason; (3) trainers more correctly recognizing subtle (barely visible) differences; and (4) drivers behaving as examiners (leaders) rather than sheep in traffic cohorts. It was years later, as I was being trained to trade currencies, options and stocks (equities) through U. S. and foreign exchanges, that the embarrassments from the driving school began to appear as true life lessons: Traders are cautioned that every loss and every mistake is to be recognized as a benefit, “due diligence,” and a “paid for” lesson that must be used for change and improvement. Thus, I realized this morning, had I been thinking correctly, I would have accepted that I was no longer one of those (who assume they know their rights and responsibilities, and do not); I was like one “born again,” and I had become one of these (who continually practice the things given as law and wisdom). I had entered a contract as one who protects the city, not one who presumes upon it, or who seeks to escape detection by hiding as an anonymous person within the various crowds to be found there. I should have flunked that student, ignored her weeping and her tears, and even taken away her learner’s permit, rather than allow her on the road again to endanger others. My compassion and authority were not to be that of her chum, her friend, or her defender as she insisted upon error. In that situation, I was to be a judge on behalf of the community-at-large, deny her the right to put others at risk (by her relying on chance, luck, and false hope), and lawfully disallow her the fantasy (of knowing there is a right way, yet refusing to learn it, and do it) whereby she further endangered herself. Consider again the accountability and complicity of the watchman (Ezekiel 33: 8-9, KJV). Also, see Leviticus 19: 15, Proverbs 31: 8-9, John 7: 24, 1st Corinthians 6: 2-3 and Revelation 19: 11, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1st John 3: 1-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Mankind Destroyed? (01/24/2014); What Salvation Is (01/25/2014); Death Has Been Transformed (05/09/2013); Loving the Enemy? (05/10/2013); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Remembering the Holocaust? (12/14/2012); The Meek Will Inherit (10/16/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012); Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012)
“Stewie”, here are a few points many Christian believers have found useful when considering our present human condition, and why it does not accomplish divine intent:
(1.) Only GOD is immortal. Mankind has never been immortal, yet, was made to be an eternal companion of divinity. Through multiple operations of sin, mankind has become unfit. Aspects of the full divine substance imparted as the breath of life can be blocked, defiled, and its power diminished. Sin is nonmaterial as well as non-spirit; is no substance emanated from GOD; is no entity that can think and act on its own; and can not influence sovereign will or the inseparable aspects of divine person (such as faith, holiness, righteousness, truth, wisdom). Nonetheless, sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures. Sin was first discovered among the angels of heaven (who are neither mortal nor immortal), and fostered opposition to continued existence of divine law, of the Law Giver, and of all Creation.
(2.) Mankind was designed to gradually grow, learn and unfold as a being over time. Death and mortality are more to be understood as corrections to extend time and maintain life than punishments to destroy life. As provisions of the law prior to any transgression, these conditions for existence and life went into effect to favor Creation, and to operate as aspects of the full revelation of GOD through judgment. Redemption, repentance, salvation, and sanctification also were added for the benefit of all.
There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood. (For example, (3.) Adam and Eve did not have a written code of law such as was presented to Moses and those who entered covenant with the tribes of Jacob. The pair were not required to operate on the basis of their knowledge of sacred law through intellect and logic, so much as to demand from within themselves more of the contact and relationship with GOD that they were already experiencing and receiving. Thus, the basis for right relationship with GOD, and the divine operations to complete the transformation to establish mankind as immortal, incorruptible, and sinless emphasize “new birth” wherein divinity is imparted to indwell those who willingly accept the provision of GOD.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1st John 3: 23-24, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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