Self-denial and being true to oneself among Christian believers is the topic, today, along with more on the issue of accuracy for the Scriptures. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “The Green Machine” (Level 5 with 5,512 points, a member since November 09, 2013) posted the following:
Why do Christians deny themselves?
Jesus says to deny ones self and not be true to ones self. Why?
THE BATTLE AXE: The Issue Is Not Accuracy (05/16/2014)—For editors, scholars, students of history, and writers of analytical reviews and literary criticism, accuracy, like proofreading, pertains to the correctness of data and factual information. Items come into view such as the spelling and pronunciation of names, dates, genealogies, and the grouping of discrete facts according to categories, classes, patterns, and types. The holy writings do not conform to any single standards for literary genres, and are more to be known in terms of eternal purpose. The Scriptures are to reveal the nature and process of divinity by reporting sacred events that have occurred among mankind, and on behalf of humanity. Readers are granted a divine perspective, so to speak, displaying information from thousands of lives, over the course of thousands of years. Statements of eyewitness, origins, and personal testimony appear, consistent with the divine revelation of GOD through operations of ongoing judgment. The writings should not be described using such labels as autobiography, biography, diaries, government documents, private journals, or travel logs. The holy writings convey spirit matter such as faith, holiness, joy, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. As such, the Scriptures are dynamic and organic like seed that must be planted within the soil for growth, maturity, and further reproduction by the bearing of fruit. The spirit content deposited within the Scriptures must interact with the endowment of spirit matter readers receive through baptism (i.e., death of the inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA). As these streams of spirit flow together, readers are further built up and established in relationship with GOD through operations of divinity upon awareness and self-will. Consider again Genesis 1: 1-3, Genesis 41: 38-40, John 4: 4, 1st Corinthians 2: 7-16, Hebrews 4: 12, 2nd Peter 1: 16-21 and Revelation 19: 9-10, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9: 57-62, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Genuine Repentance? (03/24/2014); When Is A Law The LAW? (03/25/2014); (Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); When People Covet (12/22/2013); A Lid on Love? (09/27/2013);Dying in Terror and Joy? (09/28/2013); Struggling? (05/11/2013); Through Much Tribulation (05/12/2013); Known by GOD? (10/16/2010)
“The Green Machine”, where Christ speaks to his apostles and disciples regarding self-denial he is not requiring martyrdom, self-destruction, or suicide. Believers are to accept that the demands of commitment, duty, love and unselfish service are ceaseless, nonstop, and unrelenting. Right relationship that correctly exalts divinity promotes companionship with GOD through Christ as more necessary than family, friends, ones employer and co-workers, or even ones spouse and offspring, for the gifts of redemption, salvation and eternal life may be secured through no other divine agency.
Rightly understood, only certain aspects of ones full carnal being (we say, the flesh) are to be suppressed, or continually taken to be of less importance for spiritual existence. Awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures may be dominated by appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, cravings for sexual activity), sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), emotion/mental functions (e.g., anxiety, desires, imagination, intellect, recall), and sin. Sin is no material, physical, or spirit thing created by GOD; and sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of the Law Giver, and of the full Creation that responds to divine law.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, while a believer’s demonstration, display and ministry of divine gifts are to occur through the attention we show family and all others, believers also are to discern and recognize when the control, influence, and standards of others are not those set forth in Christ. Believers are to make responsible choices, resist, and even separate themselves from those who insist upon behavior that spreads corruption, defilement, profanity, spiritual confusion, and unbelief.). Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your meekness and faith.
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2nd Timothy 2: 11-13, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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