(03/29/2016) The Strangeness of Divinity?

Today, focus is upon the sanctity, separation from, and supremacy of GOD above Creation that makes divinity appear “odd”.  Longing for a god of “unconditional love,” many argue against the true and living GOD because of the demands for contrition, judgment, perfection, and purity.  Yet, those who are born again, and are immature, simple, and underdeveloped all must endure being confused, confronted, and offended by the things they must be shown for their edification and growth.  Readers are encouraged to reflect on the following Scriptures and the presentation below:

Proverbs 21:  7-8, King James Version (KJV):  7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.  8 The way of man is froward and strange:  but as for the pure, his work is right.

Isaiah 28:  20-22, KJV:  20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it:  and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.  21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.  22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong:  for I have heard from the LORD God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

Hebrews 7:  22-27, KJV:  22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.  23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:  24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;  27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s:  for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Romans 1:  18-21, KJV:  18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Titus 2:  11-14, KJV:  11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Gestures of disrespect appear all over the “Yahoo! Answers” Internet site, that include the very same challenges to the holy writings and Christian belief that we find within many church congregations and communities of faith.  One of the fighters who regularly shares in the “Answers” Religion and Spirituality section using the ID “Anonymous” (the required profile information not shared) posted the following:

 

Christians, why is your God so odd? He will forgive anything, even you raping your own kids, but WON'T forgive blasphemy against a ghost?

Mark 3:28
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness

Matthew 12:31
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God:  or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:  yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  (2nd Corinthians 5:  13-21, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Revelation and The Cross (03/27/2016); More Than Death Needed (12/07/2015); Justified for Attacking The Bible? (06/28/2015); The God Concept? (02/13/2015); Consecrated in Christ? (06/21/2014); Anointed? (04/28/2014); No More “Mr. Nice Guy”? (04/29/2014)

 

“Anonymous”, the true and living GOD exists as spirit, and is glorious, high, holy, and sovereign.  That is why Christian believers trust that, despite time and space, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now.  Using their finite abilities that include acknowledging form and measurable dimension, fantasy, imagination, and discursive thought, created beings and living creatures are unable to invent, participate in, or visualize relationship with one having perfected love, person and power (we say, GOD).  The distinct character, nature, and substance of Deity only appears as active presence and spirit, therefore, the living must acquire sacred knowledge and apply their own defining spirit content from the makeup of GOD (i.e., discernment) to communicate, exchange, and interact with divinity.  Survival of the divine Creation also requires benefits and gifts from the Creator that separate the living from sin.  Included are atonement, death, divine law, rebirth, revelation, resurrection, unselfish sacrifice, and indwelling Spirit.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and divine order throughout the universe; and finite tools such as intellect, logic, mathematics, philosophy, science, and technology are not sufficient to eliminate blindness, spiritual confusion, or sin and its consequences.  This is made clear to believers by teachings that come from the Scriptures such as the following:

(1.)  Genesis 1:  1-3, King James Version (KJV):  1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  3 And God said, Let there be light:  and there was light.

(2.)  John 1:  1-5, KJV:  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2 The same was in the beginning with God.  3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(3.)  Romans 8:  22-25, KJV:  22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  24 For we are saved by hope:  but hope that is seen is not hope:  for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

(4.)  Luke 23:  33-35, KJV:  33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.  35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  Isaiah 55:  7-9, KJV:  7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:  and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC